Azerbaijan, Turkey close cooperation in economy

Details added (first version posted on 14:39) Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 19 Trend: Over the centuries Azerbaijan and Turkey have been together, and today they are building their own future jointly as independent states, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said Sept. 19. The president made the remarks at a joint press conference held with the participation of Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who is on a visit to Baku, TRT Haber TV channel reported. “Our political ties are developing with each passing day,” President Aliyev said, adding that earlier this month Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid an official visit to Azerbaijan. “Now we have the distinguished prime minister making an official visit," the president stressed. "I also, following the elections, made my first official visit to Turkey. Actually this clearly demonstrates the level of our relations." Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan and Turkey are today successfully cooperating in the economic field as well. He added that as a result of mutual investments the two countries, along with ensuring their own interests, are also strengthening each other. “Azerbaijan’s investments to Turkey will make up about $20 billion. Turkey also invests in Azerbaijan,” he said. The Azerbaijani president noted with satisfaction the increase in Turkey’s share in the Shah Deniz and TANAP projects. He said TANAP is a Turkish-Azerbaijani project, adding that it started two years ago and is already being implemented today. President Aliyev said the relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey in the energy sector are of great importance not only for both countries but also for the region and the whole world. “Azerbaijan is hosting a great ceremony tomorrow -- the construction of the Southern Gas Corridor begins,” the president said. “September 20 is a historic date for us, because 20 years ago on September 20 we signed the Contract of the Century.” “After 20 years we are launching the project of the 21st century. Naturally, the role of Turkey and Azerbaijan in a successful realization of this project has a special meaning,” he said. The president said that other projects are also being implemented in the energy sector. “I am confident that the successful realization of the Trans Anatolian Gas Pipeline, Trans Adriatic Pipeline and Shah Deniz 2 projects will create new conditions for cooperation in the region,” President Aliyev stressed. These projects will meet both economic and political interests of the countries involved, he said. “Thus, Turkey and Azerbaijan as the initiators of these projects, will contribute to the broad international cooperation as well,” President Aliyev underscored. Follow us on Twitter @TRENDNewsAgency