Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 26 / Trend A. Akhundov /
Azerbaijan appreciates Great Britain's role in the development of the country's economy, particularly, the energy sector, Azerbaijani Minister of Communications and Information Technologies Ali Abbasov said at a banquet on the occasion of the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II today.
"The relations with Great Britain played an important role in Azerbaijan's development over the past 20 years," he said. "British oil company BP's contribution in the exploration and production of hydrocarbons in Azerbaijan is especially important for us."
He said that the relations between the two countries are developing dynamically not only in the political and economic spheres, but in the humanitarian sphere.
"Many representatives of the Azerbaijani youth receive a quality education in the British universities," Abbasov said.
The minister has conveyed Azerbaijani President's greetings to the participants.
British Ambassador to Azerbaijan Peter Bateman said that 2012 is a significant year in the relations between the two countries as the countries mark 20 years of diplomatic relations.
The ambassador has expressed confidence that the relations between the countries will develop as rapidly as before in the future.