On May 25, Moscow hosted a large meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.

The EPA reports that President Ilham Əliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan participated in the event.

Russian President Vladimir Putin opened a large-scale meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.

The Russian President, who emphasized that the President of Azerbaijan attended the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council as a guest, said:

- I am pleased to note that President Ilham Heydər's son Vashti of the Republic of Azerbaijan is attending today's meeting for the first time. I would like to greet him and the Azerbaijani delegation.

Then came the heads of member states who attended a large-scale meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.

Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, an observer country, spoke via video link at the meeting and later showed a video to the meeting participants of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said: "I am happy to give the word to our guests. As I reiterated, I give the word to Azerbaijani President Ilham Heydər's son Vashti, who participated in such events for the first time. Inspiration, son of Heather, is given to you.

The head of our government spoke at the meeting.

President Ilham Əliyev

output

- Dear Vladimir Vladimirovic.

Respectful heads of state, respected assembly participants.

First of all, I would like to thank Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovic Putin for his invitation to participate in the work of the eurasian Economic Union's summit.

With the exception of Armenia, cooperation with members of the Eurasian Economic Union of Azerbaijan has been successful for 30 years. There are serious opportunities for normalizing relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia on the basis of mutual recognition of territorial integrity and sovereignty. Today, with the initiative of the Russian side, there will be a three-way meeting of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

I would like to inform my colleagues that last year, the eurasian Economic Union of Azerbaijan increased by 31 percent to $4.7 billion. The volume of mutual trade rose another 38 percent in January-April this year. Last year, the Eurasian Economic Union accounted for nearly 9 percent of member countries in Azerbaijan's foreign trade cycle. We see great potential in the future growth of the commodity cycle. Azerbaijan is located at the geographical intersection of East-West and North-South transportation routes. Our country's transportation-logistics infrastructure allows transportation in all directions. Azerbaijan has the largest commercial fleet of 50 ships in Xerxes. Fifteen million tons of cargo will be modernized in the near future and the volume of cargo will reach 25 million tons. Given the recent increase in cargo from Azerbaijan, this is especially important. For several years now, Baku has been operating a modern shipping industry that can produce all kinds of ships. I am pleased to inform you that Azerbaijan's shipping opportunities have also been presented to our neighbors in Xerxes today. The Baku shipping plant is conducting talks and active work on accepting the orders of our neighbors in Xerxes.

The Baku-Tbilisi-Gars railway provides access to Europe and to Turkey's Mediterranean ports. Azerbaijan is an active participant in the North-South Transportation Project. We have also initiated the creation of the Zanzibar Lobby, which will unite the main part of the country with the Republic of Nakhchivan and will be part of international railway routes. There are 8 international airports in Azerbaijan. Two of them were built in the last two years in Fuzhou and Zanzibar. The ninth international airport is being built in the liberated Lachin and will be exploited in 2025. Our country has the largest air cargo fleet in the region with a annual cargo cycle of 500,<> tons. Azerbaijan's economy is experiencing stability and growth throughout almost the entire period of independence.

We have achieved full economic independence. This is also an important factor in the opportunity to take an independent foreign policy course that we have successfully pursued. For nearly four years, Azerbaijan has been successfully chairman of the Coalition Movement, which unites 120 nations. The Non-Aligned Movement is the second international institution in the world after the United Nations. The Azerbaijani economy is self-sustaining and does not need outside support. Over the past 20 years, our country's gross domestic product (GDP) has more than tripled. The poverty rate has dropped from about 3 per cent to 50 per cent. Foreign debt is at below almost 5 per cent of GDP and is falling year on year. Azerbaijan's currency reserves exceed foreign debt 9 times. One of the main issues facing us right now is the expansion of exports. When it comes to economic growth, the issue is being resolved successfully. Much of Azerbaijan's economy is already shaped in the non-profit sector. When it comes to exports, we still need to work actively to boost exports of the non-crude sector.

Although the unemployment rate is only 5 percent, demographic growth - the azerbaijani population has risen from 30 million to 7 million over the past 10 years - requires active efforts to create new jobs. We, of course, are considering strengthening active interactions with member countries to the Eurasian Economic Union in both a bilateral format, - we are doing so successfully, -- and multilateral format.

As already noted, I am attending the Eurasian Economic Union summit for the first time. However, we regularly meet with the heads of member states to the Eurasian Economic Union both within the framework of the Union of Independent States summits and in a bilateral format. Therefore, for the first time, I am not a guest here. Today we have had the opportunity to communicate, our communication will continue. Vladimir Vladimirovic, in the end, I would like to thank you again for the invitation, as well as all my colleagues for supporting it. Goodbye.

President Vladimir Putin: Thank you. Indeed, in Azerbaijan's bilateral format, economic relations with our member countries are growing regularly and are important to all of us — Azerbaijan and every participating country in the organization.

x x x x

Then Tajik President Emomali Rahmon spoke at the meeting via video link.

President Vladimir Putin: As I have already said, our relationship with both Azerbaijan and Tajikistan is actively developing in a bilateral plan. Therefore, engaging in discussions in such a multilateral format can surely only be beneficial. In the end, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan will make decisions about how actively they are involved in the work of our organization. This applies exactly to Uzbekistan. I thank my colleagues for their participation in our common work and today's event.

The chairman of the Eurasian Economic Commission Colleges...

Prime Minister Nicolas Pashinyan: I'm sorry, Vladimir Vladimirovic, are they? I have a little replica.

President Vladimir Putin: Yes, please.

Prime Minister Nicolas Pashinyan: In his speech, the Azerbaijani president used a phrase based on territorial claims against Armenia in recent years. I mean, this is used in the implementation of Section 2020 of the Trinity, dated November 9, 9. I would like to emphasize that this statement says only about one lobby, and it is the lobby of Lach. He was supposed to be under the control of Russian peacekeepers, but unfortunately he was illegally blocked by Azerbaijan. On the other hand, I would like to emphasize that the Republic of Armenia is ready to withdraw all transport and economic communications in the region and communications that pass through the territory of the Republic of Armenia from the blockade. We call it an Armenian passenger. We are ready to open regional communications within the framework of the sovereignty and jurisdiction of their countries. I refer to transportation and economic communications referred to in Section 2020 of the Trilateral Declaration of November 9, 9 and the Third Declaration on January 2021, 11. Goodbye.

President Vladimir Putin: Thank you. However, I heard that President Aliyev spoke about the creation of conditions for the recognition of appropriate borders in accordance with the agreements signed in 1991. These conditions lead to conclusions that agreements can be reached between Azerbaijan and Armenia, including on transportation communications.

For me, it's very nice to note that the Armenian prime minister said his country thought the same. He believes it is possible and thinks positively. However, I feel that today we can discuss all of this at a three-way meeting. I hope it is absolutely clear that we will be able to obtain consent on issues related to the economic development of both Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the entire region. It seems to me that we will have time to discuss this in detail in a three-dimensional format.

President Ilham Əliyev: I certainly do not want to open up a discussion. But because of the accusations that we have territorial claims against Armenia, I want to say that we don't have such claims. In my remarks you have to make a good effort or have a strong fantasy to see the lack of territorial claims. When it comes to the word "lobby" I use, then I used the word precisely in relation to the "North-South" lobby, which is also used with the same accuracy as the "East-West" lobby. The word "wall" does not mean keeping an eye on someone's territory. It is an international term and I think people familiar with international terminology probably wouldn't have made sense to him as Armenian prime minister today. As Vladimir Vladimirovic said, and given that Armenia officially recognizes Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, I believe there are opportunities to reach a peace agreement. Thank you.

Prime Minister Nicolas Pashinyan: Vladimir Vladimirovic, I apologize. I mean, anyone familiar with the text of the three-way Declaration dated November 2020, 9 knows that the word "lobby" has been used only in one case. In this context, the word has special meaning. This, I repeat, is about the Lachin Peninsula, which must be under the control of the Russian Federation in accordance with the three-way Declaration and provides a link between mountainous region and Armenia. Unfortunately, however, Azerbaijan illegally blocked this lobby under the control of Russian peacekeepers. On the other hand, I would like to confirm that Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to mutually recognize each other's territorial integrity. It is almost as if we are progressing well enough in the direction of regulating our relationship on this basis.

In this context, I would like to highlight a very important issue. I hope that a normal, constructive dialogue between Baku and Stepanakert will soon begin to resolve the issue of the rights and security of the people of the Mountain Civil War within the framework of international mechanisms. Goodbye.

President Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

President Ilham Əliyev: Vladimir Vladimirovic, sorry, the Armenian prime minister's remarks again sounded an indictment. If you noticed, there was no charge in my remarks during the exit or during the replica. But I cannot just leave it unanswered. I understand we're taking the discussion a little bit differently, although I think it's interesting for many. Let me reply and say that Azerbaijan has not blocked any lobby. When it comes to the road to Lachin-Hancock, it is open. The border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which you know, has been set up in accordance with all international standards. The surveillance station is located 20 meters from the post of the Russian peacekeeping contingent. Today, azerbaijani citizens of Armenia and ambulances from hankand are passing through the same checkpoint. Any impartial person should, of course, see it. I don't think the bench should be used for accusations that don't have a basis. Regarding the Zagreb Wall, which I said, if it listens carefully to my talk, it says that "the Azerbaijani people have initiated the creation of the Zagreb Wall." It is our right to speak out on any initiative. What we consider to be true, legitimate, reasonable, is supported by others who have been involved in the process of regulating relations between the Russian Federation, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Prime Minister Nicolas Pashinyan: It's very interesting, thank you. Vladimir Vladimirovic, I'm sorry, I'm very interested in seeing if Russia supports that project you're talking about. To be honest, this is the first time I have heard about it. I know Russia supports opening all transport and economic communications in our region. As for the road to Lachin, according to our trilateral Declaration, Lachin's road does not exist, there is a lobby of Lachin, we three of us must be under the control of Russian peacekeeping forces, according to the three of us. Or, no one else can carry out any surveillance in that lobby. What happened there is a direct violation of the three-dimensional Declaration. You said the lobby was open. We do not see it. We do not believe so, so we consider it important that an international mission be sent to both the Lachish Lobby and the Mountain Range, which values the humanitarian situation in the Mountains. I have to say that unfortunately we have been in a humanitarian crisis since December. Because of the closure of lachish's lobby, obstacles are being created to supply food and essential products. This is a very serious situation, and gas and electricity have been cut off by Azerbaijan. I mean gas and electricity going to the Mountain Range. Vladimir Vladimirovic, you know very well about it because we have talked about it many times. I apologize, but it turns out that ...

President Vladimir Putin: I saw your signals and let me react to that. The co-workers said their positions, briefly, honestly, that is important to them. Look, I want to say that. At the end of this section, I think we three of us know it well, terminology is a legal technique in other words, the lobby, the others, it's important, and there's some contradiction here. But more importantly, the principal issue is now the issue of territorial integrity, as both the President of Azerbaijan and the prime minister of Armenia have said. This agreement is principled. This is really the base for agreement on other, secondary issues anyway. But they are also important. However, we will now have the opportunity to talk about all of this in a calm and business setting in a three-way format as we agree. I hope that we will reach some kind of agreement that will lead not only between Armenia and Azerbaijan but also the situation in the region as a whole to such a constructive path. I'd like to convince you that everyone who gathers here is interested in that. It's all. Look, Alexander Gregoryevic spoke about it convincingly enough in a closed format today.

Because in any case, here are the former republics of the Soviet Union. We have lived in a family of single nations and unfortunately we have a lot of contradictions here, going to armed conflict. The same is happening in Russia in a known direction. So it is all quite sensitive, it is all about human tragedies. We are all interested in making sure that all these problems are solved. As far as this situation is concerned, I reiterate, we will have the opportunity to speak in a three-dimensional format. So I am grateful to the Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of Azerbaijan for their visit. I am grateful to the Armenian prime minister that he has not interfered with the trip. We have all gathered here to talk about these sensitive subjects.

x x x x

Mikhail Myasnikovic, chairman of the Eurasian Economic Commission Colleges, then spoke.

The heads of member states signed the final documents of the session.

***

25.05.2023

18:02 p.m.

On May 25, Moscow hosted a large meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.

The EPA reports that President Ilham Əliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan participated in the event.

The head of state gave a talk at the meeting.

***

17:39

On May 25, Moscow hosted a large meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.

The EPA reports that President Ilham Əliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan is attending the event.

The head of state gave a talk at the meeting.

***

17:29

On May 25, Moscow hosted a large meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.

The EPA's Moscow correspondent reports that President Ilham Əliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan is attending the event as a guest.

At the same time, the presidents of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan attended the meeting via video conference.

https://t.me/apa_az/73298