AZERBAIJANI FM MEETS JAPANESE COUNTERPART

Baku, 19 June (AzerTAc). Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov who is on a visit in Tokyo has met his Japanese counterpart Hirofumi Nakasone.  
They discussed current level of bilateral relations and a range of global affairs.
The two ministers praised an active dialogue between Azerbaijan and Japan and political consultations which started after President Ilham Aliyev`s visit to Tokyo.
Mammadyarov and Nakasone agreed to continuously hold meetings to expand relations between the ministries.
The sides stressed the constructive and regular dialogue will make contribution to further developing the bilateral relations.
The Azerbaijani minister thanked the Japanese government for supporting various programs in his country through Official Development Assistance (ODA), which funded a number of important projects in the country`s regions, particularly to improve water supply and sewerage systems.
Nakasone praised geopolitical position and energy policy of Azerbaijan, saying stability in the country will contribute to peace and security in the South Caucasus.
The bilateral economic relations were also discussed, and the two ministers noted the role of the Japan-Azerbaijan Economic Commission in strengthening commercial ties and increasing the volume of investments. 
Mammadyarov and Nakasone also exchanged views on energy cooperation, praising the contribution of Japanese companies to Azeri-Chirag-Gunashly and Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan projects.
The Azeri minister also thanked the Japanese government for supporting GUAM - Organization for Democracy and Economic Development, and for carrying out active cooperation and dialogue with it.
Touching upon the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the two ministers stressed the importance of resolving the problem on the basis of Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity and sovereignty and inviolability of internationally recognized borders.