Azerbaijan, Baku, Sep. 19 /Trend/
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today met businessmen from the MEDEF, Movement of the Enterprises of France, in Paris, as part of his working visit to France.
The Head of State was welcomed by chairman of MEDEF International Jean Burrell.
Jean Burrell thanked the Azerbaijani President for the meeting.
He noted the event brought together nearly 60 businessmen from various companies.
Addressing the event, President Ilham Aliyev said previous meetings with businessmen from MEDEF contributed to establishing strong partnership relationship between leading Azerbaijani and French companies in the field of economy.
The Head of State noted economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and France was developing rapidly, adding trade between the two countries has increased.
President Ilham Aliyev noted economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and France would continue to diversify even more.
The President said the French leading companies Total and GDF Suez were Azerbaijan`s long-term partners.
"Azerbaijan is now working with its partners in ensuring European energy security."
The Head of State said Azerbaijan had big oil and gas reserves.
"Diversifying energy routes is a key priority for us, and our interests coincide with those of our European partners on this issue. Azerbaijan is today a reliable partner for Europe."
President Ilham Aliyev noted Azerbaijan supports involving French companies in TANAP project.
The President spoke of Azerbaijan`s economic achievements.
President Ilham Aliyev responded to questions from businessmen about economic processes in Azerbaijan, the country`s role in ensuring European energy security and implemented projects.
The President briefed the event participants on Azerbaijan`s economic priorities, activity of French companies in Azerbaijan, non-oil sector, the current state and further role of the country in the region and cooperative relations in the fields of energy, transport, healthcare, tourism, customs, information and communication.
The Mouvement des Entreprises de France or MEDEF is the largest union of employers in France.
It has more than 800,000 member firms, 90% are from SME, with fewer than 50 employees. MEDEF is engaged in lobbying all decision-makers at the local, regional, national and European levels. Every year, MEDEF International organizes a number of delegations of French business leaders with concrete projects to targeted countries, especially developing countries.
