BAKU: One-On-One Meeting Of President Ilham Aliyev And Emperor OfJap

ONE-ON-ONE MEETING OF PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV AND EMPEROR OF JAPAN AKIHITO

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
March 8 2006

President Ilham Aliyev’s Official Visit To Japan

On 8 March in Tokyo, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and the
Emperor of Japan Akihito had a one-on-one meeting.

His Majesty Akihito and Empress Michiko warmly greeted President of
Azerbaijan and his spouse Mehriban Khanum Aliyeva.

Then, the heads of state had private meeting.

Highly appraising official visit of the Azerbaijani President to Japan,
His Majesty Akihito said development of bilateral relations would be
useful for both sides. Touching upon the historical friendly links
between two peoples, the Emperor said Japan is deeply interested in
strengthening of relations with Azerbaijan. He reminded with pleasure
the visit of the nationwide leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev to Japan
in February 1998, shared his impressions of the past meetings. His
majesty Akihito said just thanks to efforts and resoluteness of Heydar
Aliyev, successful reforms led Azerbaijan to the world’s developed
counties and that policy today have yielded its fruits.

Expressing gratitude to His Majesty Akihito for hospitality and kind
words, President Aliyev said he was pleased with the visit, and spoke
of the legal, democratic, secular state building process ongoing in
the Republic of Azerbaijan. “The current visit will open a new phase
in development of bilateral relations”, he emphasized.

President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan always attaches great importance
to mutually beneficial ties with the world countries. From this
standpoint, the relations with Japan are of particular impatience,
he stressed. “The country is open to businessmen of world counties,
socio-political stability has been guaranteed, the investments
are protected, and any condition for activity in the Republic is
available”.

Speaking of the works done for joint development of prospects at the
Azerbaijan sector on the Caspian, President of Azerbaijan said the
Japanese Itocu had greater share in the projects.

During the talk, also were focused the prospects of the
Azeri-Japanese cooperation, the situation in region, settlement of
the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh conflict and other questions.

After the meeting, His Majesty Akihito and Empress Michiko with great
respect and honor have seen off President Aliyev and Ms. Aliyeva.