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- October 16, 202612°
- BIST10011,722-2.89%
- USD49.42+0.06%
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- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN81,293-1.02%
- October 16, 202612°
Azerbaijan and Laos adopt a joint statement on transport and energy cooperation in Baku
Azerbaijan and Laos discussed ways to develop cooperation in the economy, energy, transport and mine clearance sectors in Baku. Following the talks, the two sides adopted a Joint Statement, while Laos was noted as having the potential to connect to the International Trans-Caspian Transport Route once its railway projects are completed.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith made statements to the press following their talks in Baku on October 13. The two leaders discussed opportunities for cooperation in transport links, energy, mine clearance, mining, agriculture, tourism and culture, as well as economic relations.
The Caspian route and mine clearance
The talks also addressed strengthening transport links. Aliyev said Azerbaijan had implemented major transport and logistics projects and was working to attract cargo to new routes.
Once railway projects in Laos are completed, the country could gain the opportunity to connect to the International Trans-Caspian Transport Route.
On mine contamination, Aliyev said more than 1 million mines had been laid in Azerbaijani territory as a result of the Armenian occupation. Saying that more than 400 Azerbaijani citizens had been killed or seriously injured by mines over the past 5-6 years, Aliyev said joint training programs could be organized through the exchange of experience and technology.
Trade and investment on the agenda
Aliyev said political relations between Azerbaijan and Laos had progressed successfully for more than 30 years. He said the two countries had traditionally supported each other in international organizations, adding that interparliamentary relations and cooperation between the ruling parties had also strengthened their ties.
Aliyev said the current trade volume did not reflect the potential of the two countries and that the Azerbaijan-Laos Business Forum planned to be held in Baku could invigorate economic relations. He said Azerbaijan was ready to consider investment projects in Laos if they were presented in concrete terms.
Sisoulith said they wanted to strengthen their traditionally friendly relations with Azerbaijan and extend cooperation beyond political and interparliamentary ties. The Lao president said he believed trade and Azerbaijani investments in Laos would increase, stressing the importance of developing contacts between the peoples and human capital.
Education and new joint projects
Aliyev proposed reviving the tradition of Lao students studying in Azerbaijan. Saying that more than 2,000 Lao citizens had studied at educational institutions in Azerbaijan during the Soviet period, Aliyev said the number of Lao students could be increased by developing scholarship programs.
Sisoulith thanked Azerbaijan for its willingness to accept more Lao students and expressed support for reassessing scholarship programs. He also said he planned to send more ministers to Azerbaijan to discuss investment, education, energy and other joint projects.
At the end of the talks, the two sides adopted a Joint Statement setting out the main directions of future cooperation. Referring to the historical foundation of relations between the two countries, Sisoulith recalled Heydar Aliyev's visit to Laos in 1986 and said the current official visit marked an important stage in maintaining the tradition of cooperation.
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