Ambassador makes presentation on Azerbaijan in Japan

Azerbaijan`s ambassador to Japan Gursel Ismayilzade has made a presentation on Azerbaijan on the invitation of the executive commentator of Japan`s NHK TV channel at the Education and Student Exchange Association. Ishikawa was the first Japanese journalist to interview national leader Heydar Aliyev and is a leading expert on Azerbaijan and regional energy projects. Ismayilzadeh provided an insight into the history, foreign and domestic policy, economic development of Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev-led steps to consolidate the state system, and social reforms implemented in the country. The ambassador underlined “an important role” of Azerbaijan in ensuring the world`s energy security. He touched upon Azerbaijan`s efforts to develop the non-oil sector, saying there are ample opportunities for development of tourism, agriculture, alternative and renewable energy sources. The ambassador told of the occupation of 20 percent of the Azerbaijani lands, displacement of over a million Azerbaijanis from their homes as a result of the Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan. The ambassador dwelled upon diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Japan. He underlined that national leader Heydar Aliyev`s official visit to Japan in 1998 was a milestone in the history of bilateral relations, adding President Ilham Aliyev`s 2006 visit gave a fillip to the development of relationship. Ismayilzadeh noted that students played a great role in expanding relations between the two countries. He noted that the Japanese language is taught at the Baku State University and Azerbaijan University of Languages, and that Azerbaijani students are pursuing their studies at some Japanese universities. He pointed out that a memorandum of understanding was signed with the Osaka University during a visit of a cohort of professors and students of the ADA University in March. “Such documents are scheduled to be signed with the Ritsumeikan and Doshisha Universities too,” the ambassador added.