Day.Az: How would you describe development of ties between Azerbaijan and the UK in recent years?
Fakhraddin Gurbanov: The current relations between Azerbaijan and the UK are developing rapidly in all directions. In recent years, the relations and mutual visits at the highest level have become more frequent. In this regard, I would like to mention President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to the UK in July this year. Meetings and negotiations conducted during this visit brought the bilateral relations to a new level.
During the visit, the Azerbaijani president held talks with prime minister, Queen Elizabeth II, as well as business circles of the United Kingdom and noted a need for a unified position on several important issues, broader economic cooperation and promising opportunities.
A clear objective was defined as a result of the meeting – implementing certain activities to establish closer relations between the two countries.
Q: In what areas the two countries have developed relations? In what areas the countries lack cooperation for one reason or another?
A: Of course, development of bilateral ties depends on economic opportunities and infrastructure in Azerbaijan and in the UK. Today, I can confidently say we see close economic links between the two countries and the business communities of both countries are determined to use all available capabilities of countries to implement all new projects.
Azerbaijan - United Kingdom Business Council was established in London recently. The council aims to unite the leading companies of the two countries to implement joint projects. As a result, second trade mission of business people of the United Kingdom is expected to visit Azerbaijan in November
Moreover, Mayor of City, London's financial center, visit Azerbaijan accompanied by UK business people in July. The visit by mayor of financial center, which houses the leading financial institutions and investment banks around the world, talks held with the guests and the meeting regarding the financial services industry encourages further cooperation.
Is also worth noting that candidates for coming elections to the British Parliament, representatives of one of the prophetic British parties, tripped to Baku in September this year. The important is that recent events in the South Caucasus region, Azerbaijan's role in energy security and Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict were discussed during the annual conferences of the three major British political parties due to efforts of Europe-Azerbaijan Society and our embassy.
A number of events were also held in the cultural and humanitarian sphere. We place great attention to promotion of Azerbaijan culture in Britain. Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations including of Europe-Azerbaijan Society, Odlar Yurdu Society, Azerbaijan House, ‘Caspian Khazri’ make a significant contribution to the common cause.
Q: How many Azerbaijanis live in the UK? In which cities and areas they are mostly settled? Are there Azerbaijanis in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales?
A: Azerbaijanis live not only in London, as many believe, but throughout the UK. Students from Azerbaijan receive education in many leading universities in England, Wales and Scotland.
Considerable number of Azerbaijanis work in large petrochemical enterprises in the city of Aberdeen which is an oil center of Britain. Azerbaijanis also work in other spheres of the UK, where they achieve significant success. Large number of Azerbaijani young people work for leading UK banks.
Day.Az
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