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Ion Robu: The most priority cooperation sphere between Azerbaijan and Moldova is energy sector

29 October 2007 11:19 (UTC +04:00)

-Are mutual official visits planned between Moldova and Azerbaijan? Azerbaijani media reported that Andrei Stratan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration will visit Baku in October. Will it take place?

-Approximate schedule of officialsâ€™ visits is usually made at the beginning of the year. The schedules are of course corrected depending on the situation and opportunities. The visit of Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration is on the agenda. But it would be better to speak about the details when the visit takes place.

-How do you value the implementation of the agreements reached at the second meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic, commercial and scientific-technical cooperation between Azerbaijan and Moldova? (The matter is long-lasting economic cooperation program and joint economic projects).

-As you know, the second meeting of the intergovernmental commission was held in Baku at the beginning of this year. Three intergovernmental and three interdepartmental documents were signed during the meeting. All these documents passed through relevant procedures both in Azerbaijan and Moldova and the ministries and departments are working on their implementation. I would like to note especially two of the decisions. One of them is to open direct flights between Kishinev and Baku and the second is connected with the two countriesâ€™ establishing trade houses. But implementation of these agreements is too slow.

-Are trade houses operating?

-Not yet. But joint work is being carried out on establishing trade houses. The parties intend to achieve concrete results by this year-end. Trade houses are established in order to ensure access of Moldovaâ€™s goods and services to Azerbaijani market and Azerbaijanâ€™s goods to Moldovan market. Here include broad-spectrum issues from access of goods and services to markets up to organization of exhibitions and presentations. Trade houses will activate direct relations between businesses and this will provide opportunities for increasing goods turnover between our countries.

-What about opening of direct flights?

-Intergovernmental commission commissioned aviation offices of the two countries to learn this issue and prepare proposals. The representatives of aviation offices have already met and work on it continues. We only have to wait for the concrete result.

-What can you say about implementing joint economic projects? In which field of economics can Azerbaijan and Moldova cooperate actively?

-The main priority field is energy sector and we are actively cooperating in this field. We are interested in the energy, especially in oil experience of Azerbaijan. A group of Moldavian specialists arrived in Azerbaijan and learned experience of their Azerbaijani compatriots in the organization of tenders on the geological exploration of oil and gas. It is supposed that there are oil-gas fields in the south of Moldova, oil terminal has also been commissioned. Therefore we are interested in your Republicâ€™s experience in this field and Azerbaijani specialists help us. The second main sector is vine-growing and wine-making, the third is information technologies. Cooperation should be developed on these perspective fields.

-When will the next meeting of intergovernmental commission be held and is agenda known?

-The next meeting will be held in Kishinev in the middle of the next year. The agenda is being specified on the proposals of relevant Ministry and offices.

-Delegation of Azerbaijani business circles visited Moldova not long ago. Can you say anything about the results of the meetings?

-3 large events were held in Kishinev in mid October: international investment forum, interbank conference and traditional wine holiday. Azerbaijani delegation led by President of Caspian Integration Club Telman Aliyev also participated in these events. Moldavian President and Prime Minister received them. Involvement of capitalist bankers to the implementation of huge economic projects was considered in the interbank conference. I regard that Azerbaijani business circlesâ€™ participation in these events will give an impetus to their relations with Moldavian counterparts.

-How do you assess present level of economic-commercial relations between Azerbaijan and Moldova? Does it coincide with the potential of the two countries?

-Economic-commercial relations between Azerbaijan and Moldova are developing dynamically. Moreover, I would like to say that despite the development, potential in this field is not used completely. Joint enterprises should be established, close mutual relations should be established between business circles. /APA/