The Minister of Economic Development of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev: "As a result of the political will and the joint efforts of the heads of the states the relations between the three countries elevated to strategic partnership. Regional cooperation of Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey is an example to the world. Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey trilateral business forums organized by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev's initiative are another indicator of the regional strategic partnership among these countries".
Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey business forum organized by the Ministry of Economic Development, Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO), "Invest in Georgia" National Investment Agency of Georgia and Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK) in Gabala on May 25.
The economic ministers of each of the three countries, Secretary General of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (CCTS), other officials, as well as over 250 businessmen operating in industry, energy, construction, agriculture, ICT, tourism, chemistry, transport, health care, education, finance, service, trade and other sectors participated in the forum.
Welcoming the participants in Gabala, one of the most beautiful and ancient places of Azerbaijan the former capital of Caucasian Albania, the minister of Economic Development Shahin Mustafayev stressed importance of the business forum in expansion of economic-trade relations among the three friendly countries. It was noted that development and deepening of the regional integration is of particular importance in the demonstration of high stability against the negative effects of today's world financial, economic, and social crisis, more efficient use of opportunities of the region and sustainable socio-economic development of the countries. In this regard, the expansion of political and economic cooperation among Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey is all-important for each of the three countries, as well as for the entire region. The minister of Economic Development Shahin Mustafayev highlighted that as a result of the political will and the joint efforts of the heads of the states the relations between the three countries elevated to strategic partnership. Regional cooperation of Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey is an example to the world. Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey business forums organized by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev's initiative are another indicator of the regional strategic partnership among these countries. (It should be noted that, the trilateral business forums which are organized for the 3rd time among Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia were previously held in the cities of Tbilisi and Kars). It was noted that the political will of the heads of state, mutual respect and interest, fraternal and friendly relations among these nations, sustainable development, macroeconomic stability, favourable business and investment climate observed in the economy of all three countries, as well as auspicious geographic location and major transit opportunities of these countries are the key factors for the successful regional cooperation among Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia.
The minister Shahin Mustafayev: "The participating countries of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars, Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline (TANAP), "Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey Energy Bridge" projects of which Azerbaijan is the initiator and main participator and other projects get political, financial, economic and social dividends and act as prestigious counterparties not only in the region, but also in the international arena". Transportation of energy resources of Azerbaijan and the Central Asia to the European market via Georgia and Turkey, important roles of these countries in ensuring Europe's energy security further increase the importance of the region. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project will play a strategic role in the establishment of a transport corridor between Asia and Europe. "Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey Energy Bridge" project will give economic benefit, as well as will increase the stability and reliability of energy systems of the countries of the region.
The minister Shahin Mustafayev accentuated the development of the trade relations and mutual investment activity among Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. The formation of a strong legislative base, intergovernmental commissions, productive activities of AZPROMO, the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK), Azerbaijan Turkey Business Association (ATIB), Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAB), Association of Azerbaijani Business in Georgia (AZEBI), "Invest in Georgia", Azerbaijan Business Association in Turkey and other agencies, organization of business forums, exhibitions and other events pave the way for further expansion of the relations among businessmen, therefore, trade and investment is growing.
So, trade turnover between Azerbaijan-Turkey increased by 20.6% in 2012. At present, more than 2000 Turkish companies operate in Azerbaijan and about 1100 companies in Turkey. Turkish companies are 36% of foreign companies in Azerbaijan and Turkey is the first in this respect. Turkish companies take part also in the projects financed by state fund as contractors and subcontractors. Turkish companies have invested 21.1 billion U.S dollars in Azerbaijan, 1.5 billion dollars of this fund falls to share of non-oil sector. Turkey ranks the first place for volume of investment of Azerbaijan in foreign countries. SOCAR will invest $17 billion in Turkey by 2018. For example, purchasing shares of Petkim petrochemical complex and "Star Refinery" are of great projects. The minister Shahin Mustafayev noted that trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Georgia increased by 12.1% in 2012. Over 150 Georgian companies in Azerbaijan and nearly 300 Azerbaijani companies were registered in Georgia. Up to now, over 7700 new jobs have been created by Azerbaijani companies in Georgia. Generally, over the last 2 years Azerbaijan invested USD 210 million into the economy of Georgia. The projects on construction, tourism and transport were implemented by the Azerbaijani companies in Georgia. Currently, urea production plant is being built in Kulevi industrial zone.
However, there is great potential for further development of the relations in various sectors of the economy among these countries.
The minister of Economic Development Shahin Mustafayev accentuated that the issues discussed within the framework of a business forum and bilateral meetings among businessmen will contribute to the further expansion of business ties among businessmen. He also emphasized the prospects of cooperation.
Organization of various measures at the trilateral format, strengthening cooperation among regions of the three countries, increase of the opportunities for the exchange of interstate electricity, the establishment of a joint investment fund with the participation of financial institutions and co-investment in other countries, expansion of ties in the field of tourism, increase of efficiency and competitiveness of transport corridors linking Asia and Europe and passing through the territory of each of the three countries in comparison of other countries will be significant in further development of regional cooperation among Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia.
The minister Shahin Mustafayev: "Only one country in the region, Armenia has been left out of regional processes in the background of these successes. The aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan, Armenian territorial claims to its neighbours create serious obstacles for the expansion of cooperation in the region. As a result of the aggressive policy this country is deprived of participation in regional projects. Therefore, Armenia falls into political, socio-economic, demographic abyss. Inclusive of Armenia in any regional projects will be impossible unless Armenia stops this policy".
George Kvirikashvili, the minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, highlighted that relations among Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey will further develop and business forum will be important in boosting of cooperation among businessmen. The minister George Kvirikashvili: Georgia attaches great importance to cooperation with Azerbaijan and Turkey. For the last 10 years, investment by Azerbaijan and Turkey in Georgia has significantly increased. Likewise, Georgia is interested in the further expansion of regional cooperation". George Kvirikashvili offered to hold the next trilateral business forum among the three countries in Batumi in October.
Minister of Economy of Turkey Zafer Caglayan expressed his gratitude for holding the next business forum by the participation of 3 countries in Gabala, and noted that it was the evidence of the friendship among Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia. Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan delivered information on the opportunities for further development of the current economic relations and cooperation among the three countries.
Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan: "There would be no diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia till Armenia ends occupation of Azerbaijani territories. Turkey always supported Azerbaijan and will further support".
The presentations on the business and investment opportunities of Azerbaijan, its regional economic cooperation was made by the president of AZPROMO Rufat Mammadov, work done for the creation of an industrial park and perspectives of an industrial park by Deputy Director of Sumgait Chemical Industrial Park Zaur Mammadov, investment opportunities of Georgia by Director of the National Investment Agency of Georgia George Pertaya.
The chairman of Turkey-Georgia Business Council Tugrul Erkin and Turkey-Azerbaijan Business council Chengiz Gul informed the participants about expansion of relations between businessmen and activities of these agencies.
Business Forum was followed bilateral meetings among businessmen. During meetings expansion of business ties among entrepreneurs were discussed.
Within the framework of the business forum bilateral meetings among ministers of economy of the three countries were held.
The minister of Economic Development of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev met with George Kvirikashvili, the minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia. Economic-trade relations between the countries, participation of the Georgian companies in establishment of industrial parks in Azerbaijan, expansion of cooperation in the field of tourism and arrangement of mutual tourists' visits, investment climate and exchange of information on investment projects, organization of exhibitions and fairs with the participation of businessmen and other issues were discussed at the meeting.
The prospects of further expansion of economic relations between the two countries were discussed at the meeting held between the ministers Shahin Mustafayev and Zafer Caglayan. Furthermore, it was stressed that business forums and meetings organized with the participation of Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey are the indicator of strategic cooperation, good neighbourliness and brotherhood. The sides discussed the issues on studying Turkish experience in the establishment of industrial parks, manufacturing, processing and packing of export oriented agricultural products, as well as cooperation in the production of food products between the two countries, the possibility of creating joint ventures in third countries, promotion of participation of the Turkish and Azerbaijani companies in investment projects in both countries, cooperation in the fields of tourism, textile and other fields.
During the meeting, held between the ministers George Kvirikashvili and Zafer Caglayan, the sides talked about perspectives of expansion of economic relations between both countries.
Partakers of the trilateral business form held in Gabala got acquainted with the activities of several production enterprises (Piano factory, "Jale" production enterprise, contemporary cattle breeding complex), as well as tourism opportunities of Gabala.