We should try to take large amounts of agricultural products to the European markets, Azerbaijani President

Baku, July 14 (AzerTAc). “We need to expand into new markets. We need to access regional markets. We are working in this direction now, and we should try to take large amounts of agricultural products to the European markets,” said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in his closing speech at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the results of socioeconomic development in the first half of 2014 and objectives for the future. The head of state noted that at present, Azerbaijan has the highest quality products. “When we fully provide ourselves in this area and when high-quality and competitive products form the majority in the processing industry of Azerbaijan, then I am sure we will be ready to join the World Trade Organization.” “If we do this today, our farmers will suffer losses, the production volume will be reduced, the Azerbaijani market will be replete with cheap and inferior products, and thus our economic development, in particular the development of agriculture, would not be at the proper level. So the process of preparation for joining the World Trade Organization is under way now. This is our goal. We are committed to this goal, but in agriculture and industry preparatory work and these reforms should be carried out,” the head of state said.