TIRANA, July 7 – “This year marks 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. I think we have plenty of reasons to be quite proud of our relationship, which today is better than ever. I expressed my appreciation to President Aliyev for the important contributions to strengthening the relations between the two countries.”
This is what President Bajram Begaj highlighted during the joint press conference with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, where he is on an official visit, after talks between the two heads of state on Friday.
Begaj highlighted energy and tourism as the sectors where cooperation between the two countries can be deepened, while he said that the progress of relations between the two countries has progressed at a very positive rate.
“Last year, President Aliyev visited Tirana. It was the first visit of an Azeri president to Albania. The impact of that visit was reflected immediately. It was not long before the Parliament of Azerbaijan made the decision to open the Embassy in Tirana, and likewise Albania made the decision to open the Embassy in Baku,” said Begaj.
In his remarks, Begaj listed some of the joint meetings between Albanian entrepreneurs and those from Azerbaijan, and regarding energy he recalled the TAP project, welcoming the increase of Azeri investments in the field of energy.
“Albania and Azerbaijan are linked through cooperation in the energy field. TAP is a consolidated success story. Albania’s benefits from TAP have been numerous, both in the economic plan and in strengthening Albania’s strategic weight. While the Adriatic-Ionian gas pipeline will further contribute to Albania’s role as an energy distributor in the region,” said Begaj.
President Begaj expressed Albania’s willingness to President Alyev to take quick steps to gasify the country in close cooperation with Azerbaijan and welcomed Azerbaijan’s attention to the development of regional energy projects. Furthermore, Begaj said that tourism is another sector where the two countries can deepen cooperation even more. According to him, investments in tourism by Azeri entrepreneurs are welcome.
Begaj announced that the Cultural Week of Azerbaijan will take place very soon in Albania and he was convinced that the event will be a real celebration of how culture can bring people and societies closer together. /argumentum.al
