Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev held a number of talks within his official visit to France. After arriving in Paris, the head of Azerbaijan met with President of the French Senate Gerard Larcher.
A guard of honor was lined up for the Azerbaijani President in front of the Senate`s building. Larcher welcomed President Aliyev. Larcher said he was pleased to see Ilham Aliyev in the French Senate again. He noted the importance of such visits in terms of further development of bilateral ties between the two countries.
The President of the French Senate also highlighted the mutual cooperation between Azerbaijan and France in the fields of economy, politics, education, and culture. He hailed the operation of the French Lyceum and the Azerbaijani-French University in Baku, describing this as indicative of a high level of bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Ilham Aliyev, in turn, expressed his satisfaction with his another visit to the French Senate. He noted that the dialogue with France at all levels is of great importance to Azerbaijan. The head of state described France as a very close partner and friendly country for Azerbaijan, saying Azerbaijan is keen to further enhance its cooperation with France.
The sides emphasized that the current relations between France and Azerbaijan and the discussions being held here will make a positive contribution to the agreement to be signed between Azerbaijan and the European Union. Larcher expressed his hope that a comprehensive agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan will soon be signed. He emphasized that France is very much interested in the signing of the document.
The high-level of interparliamentary relations was hailed, the importance of further developing this cooperation was emphasized during the conversation. The sides noted the fact that a number of meetings were held and reciprocal visits were paid within the France-Caucasus Friendship Group in the Senate of France.
The sides also discussed the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The President of the French Senate underlined his country’s intention to continue its activity towards the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, AzerTAc reported.
Ilham Aliyev also met with Chairman and CEO of Naval Group Herve Guillou. They discussed cooperation between Azerbaijan and France in the field of military industry. Guillou informed the head of state of Naval Group.During the meeting, it was noted that there are good opportunities for cooperation between Azerbaijan and France in the military-technical sphere and that work is currently underway with the French side on specific projects.
The head of Azerbaijan met with Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Total Patrick Pouyanne. The sides exchanged views over the issues relating to the exploitation and development of "Absheron" gas condensate field. Opportunities for Total`s participation in the exploitation of "Umid-Babak" natural gas fields in the Azerbaijani section of the Caspian Sea were also discussed during the meeting
Aliyev's next talks were held with Airbus Vice-President for Eurasia Silvere Delaunay. The sides exchanged views over cooperation between Airbus and Azercosmos OJSC. Successful activity of Azersky and Spot 6 satellites on the world markets was hailed during the meeting. The sides also discussed opportunities for Azerbaijan`s purchasing new higher resolution satellites from Airbus as well as satellite-related technologies.
The Azerbaijani head of state held a meeting with Chief Executive Officer of SUEZ Jean-Louis Chaussade. They discussed SUEZ`s participation in several water purification projects in the cities of Baku and Sumgayit. Pointing to the increasing number of the Azerbaijani population, President Aliyev stressed the importance of these projects, particularly their strategic significance. The sides reviewed specific proposals in this regard and exchanged views over future cooperation.
Ilham Aliyev also met with Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Rothschild & Co David de Rothschild. They discussed the issues of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Rothschild & Co, underlining the necessity of expanding this collaboration in the banking sector and privatization area. David de Rothschild pointed out his grandfather’s once successful activity in Azerbaijan, expressing his intention to continue this tradition.
In addition, Ilham Aliyev met with Managing Director of Wilmotte & Associes Architectes Borina Andrieu, who said that she is impressed by the beauty of Baku. Andrieu hailed the improvement of the city`s infrastructure and construction of new buildings and parks. The sides discussed the possibility of Wilmotte & Associes Architectes` involvement in Baku`s development conception.
