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SINGAPORE: Singapore and Azerbaijan on Friday reaffirmed their friendly relations and discussed ways to enhance their bilateral relationship.
The two countries agreed on ways to strengthen the political dialogue on issues of mutual concern and promote economic cooperation. This was discussed during Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo's visit to Azerbaijan on Friday.
Mr Yeo is in Azerbaijan on a four-day official visit, from March 18 to 21, at the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov. This is the first high-level visit to Azerbaijan by a Singapore Minister since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1994.
The ministers also emphasised the importance of a peaceful resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict, based on the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders of Azerbaijan in accordance with the norms of international law and relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.
They also expressed their intention to promote further their cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, industry, energy, information technologies, education and culture.
Mr Yeo noted that a number of officials from Azerbaijan had attended courses to develop human resource capabilities in such sectors as project management, information technology, transportation and logistical management, civil aviation and tourism under the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP), which is a technical assistance programme administered by the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Mr Yeo said: "A new chapter has opened in our bilateral relationship. There is great potential for the strengthening of economic and other ties.
"Azerbaijan is a country with a long history and a rich culture. It has been growing rapidly. This morning when I called on President Aliyev, he told me that the GDP tripled in six years. And last year, despite the global economic crisis, Azerbaijan's economy continued to grow rapidly at a rate of 9.3 per cent."
He also noted that the oil and gas sector is an obvious area of greater cooperation.
Mr Yeo said: "Although Singapore has no oil or gas, we have a strong chemicals and maritime support cluster, with many Singapore-based companies supporting the operation of large oil and gas companies. I am certain that they would be keen to explore opportunities in Azerbaijan."
He added: "As part of the Oil Strategy to import world-class technology, Keppel was invited to Azerbaijan in 1997, and a partnership with SOCAR, the Caspian Shipyard Company in Baku, was quickly established.
"It was the region's first international rig-building, repair and conversion yard. Today, the Caspian Shipyard Company employs over 500 Azerbaijanis."
Mr Yeo also called on President Ilham Aliyev and had discussions with the Minister of Emergency Situations Kamaladdin Heydarov.
- CNA/sc
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