According to the official website of the Azerbaijani president, first President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan made statements for the press.

The statement by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev:

"Dear Mr. Prime Minister, my dear brother!

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen!

Dear brother, I sincerely welcome you to Azerbaijan, welcome to our country! I welcome all of our Turkish brothers.

Today we held the second meeting of the high-level Azerbaijani-Turkish Strategic Cooperation Council. As you know, the first meeting was held very successfully last year in Izmir. Decisions taken at the first meeting are successfully implemented. Today, we, first of all, appreciated the work done, analyzed it and exchanged views on further steps for further cooperation. In general, I can say that the Turkish-Azerbaijani relations are developing successfully in all areas and cover all areas. The agenda of today's meeting is also very broad. We had a very broad discussion on a number of important issues, and I want to say again that between us there is no disagreement - both on international issues, and on bilateral ties our views are the same.

Today we, both at the one-on-one and extended meetings, talked and exchanged views on the political situation, processes going on in the world. The two countries support each other in all areas and in all international organizations. Today the ministers informed us about the work done, and new initiatives for joint activities in the future were discussed. We in all international organizations speak with one voice and support each other. This support is very important for us, for the region and for the world. Today, the Turkish-Azerbaijani relations are important not only for the development of bilateral relations, they also play a stabilizing role in promoting peace, stability and security in the region. Our role in the world is growing, and mutual support further enhances the value of our countries.

With regard to international issues, of course, we discussed the consequences of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and efforts manifested in the negotiations. I informed my dear brother of the current status of negotiations. As you know, injustice and expansionist policy toward Azerbaijan is still ongoing. Nagorno-Karabakh, which is internationally-recognized native Azerbaijani land, and regions located around it for twenty years have been occupied by the Armenian aggressors. All norms of international law, justice have been violated, historical justice has been violated. We aim to resolve the issue peacefully. But unconstructive and hypocritical activity of Armenia does not allow achieving this. Azerbaijan's position is clear: the rules of international law, territorial integrity of Azerbaijan must be restored. The issue can be resolved only on the basis of the principle of territorial integrity.

I take this opportunity to once again on behalf of the Azerbaijani people express gratitude to the Turkish state and the government for their stance on this issue.

Today of course we talked about the new prospects for our economic relations. Trade turnover is growing rapidly. Despite the fact that the volume of trade does not satisfy us yet, but the dynamics are very positive. If we manage to maintain and increase this rate, in the near future, our turnover will be measured by even greater numbers.

Cooperation in the energy sector is of traditional nature. I can say that cooperation in the energy sector of the economic sphere, as always, is a priority. Important events happened following the meeting in Izmir. We signed project TANAP which has attracted great attention in the world. This is an important step towards the reform of energy policy in the world. Attention to project TANAP in the international arena shows that Turkey and Azerbaijan, as always showing joint initiative at the right time and taking on the responsibility, have launched a major project. I hope that, as agreed, in the next five years we will implement project TANAP. Thus, Azerbaijan will become an important supplier of gas to Turkey and simultaneously via Turkey Azerbaijani gas will be transported to Europe.

Another important project is related to the transport sector. This project also could already take its place among the major projects - the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars. Today, the ministers provided information, and we talked about future projects. This project is our joint initiative. But today, we again see that other countries, partner countries are showing interest in this project and want to join. We welcome this. The project, which connects Turkey with Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as Georgia with Azerbaijan, has already reached the international area.

Among the discussed were also issues of military-technical cooperation. Cooperation in this area is based on the principles of brotherhood and friendship. Joint initiatives have been put forward. I can say that in recent years, a great progress has been observed in this sphere.

We discussed issues of communication and information technologies. That is today, as if cabinets of the two countries met. In any case, that the case of Azerbaijan, and now participates in the meeting constitute one third of the Cabinet of Ministers. This in and of itself is an indicator testifying that the bilateral agenda is really quite broad, meaningful, sincere and positive.

I am very pleased that we have discussed all the issues in an atmosphere of friendship and brotherhood. Once again I want to say that the basis of our relationship is feelings of the two peoples to one another, the mutual support of the two states. This support exists. Once again I want to say that this support has played a positive role in regional issues.

Dear brother, I once again warmly welcome you to Azerbaijan. I wish you health and success. I am confident that the documents we signed today will become reality before the next meeting."

Then, President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded to questions.

Correspondent of Turkish channel NTV: Mr. Prime Minister, a new terrorist act has been committed in Sultangazi. How do you assess this? Can you share with the public the latest information available to you? And one more question. Syria has decided to hold elections. Bashar al-Assad said: if I lose the election, this time l will leave power. How do you evaluate this statement of his?

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan: First, in connection with the terrorist attack in Sultangazi. Based on the information received, we already know the group that claimed responsibility for the terrorist attacks. You also got reports of this. It was an attack on a police station. There is one dead. In addition, four police officers were wounded. Two more of our citizens are also wounded. I was informed that the condition of the wounded is not severe. I ask Allah to grant them healing, May Allah bless the soul of our martyr. I wish patience to his relatives. As you know, the incident was the result of a bomb explosion by a suicide bomber. Identity of the person who committed the crime is established. At present, all the security structures and the police are investigating his ties.

As for your second question, the elections to be held in Syria do not inspire confidence.

The results of elections to be held in an environment where there is no trust are known in advance. Currently, Syria is in a civil war. The results of the elections to be held under such conditions are certainly already known. As you know, they had the election before. The majority of the people of Syria did not participate in the elections, because there was no sound basis. As long as there will be no healthy basis, elections will have no value. There are decisions made ​​in Geneva. The Syrian regime has not fulfilled the Geneva decision. If they fulfilled them, they could have moved higher. The reason why Kofi Annan resigned is known. Currently this post is held by Mr. Landar Brahimi. But he is already aware of the difficulty of his task. In such circumstances, there is no healthy democratic basis. And there is no sound basis. Recognition of the results of the elections held in such an environment is impossible.

Correspondent of TV channel Khazar, Turkan Verdiyeva: Hello. Distinguished Mr. Prime Minister, investments play particularly an important role in the economic cooperation between the two countries. Within today's meeting of the high level Strategic Cooperation Council, how do you view the prospects of large investments of Turkey in Azerbaijan in response to Azerbaijan's steps in this direction?

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan: Currently in this issue there are excellent initiatives, thanks to which investments in Azerbaijan reached at this time 10 billion dollars. The objective is to rapidly bring this figure up to 20 billion dollars.

Work in this direction is underway. Naturally, there is also other collaboration. We even say that it is necessary to go further, to open the way for investment of Azerbaijani and Turkish entrepreneurs in third countries. We want to continue successfully also this job.

Correspondent of the Anatolian agency, Hasan Oymez: I want to ask a question to Mr. President. We are at a stage where the cooperation between the two countries gradually increases. Do you do anything so that this cooperation reached the top of the complete abolition of visa requirements on the border for the citizens the Republic of Turkey? Can we get from you this news? In addition, is there any talk to transfer project TANAP to a date earlier than planned? Work was done on the two alternative projects for the output of Azeri gas from Turkey to Europe. Is there a specificity related to this issue?

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev: As you said, we have multiple linkages. They cover all areas. We try to solve all problems in all areas, and solve in a timely manner.

Regarding visa, as you know very well, recently the Turkish state abolished visa regarding citizens of all Turkic speaking states. So, citizens of all Turkic speaking states can go to Turkey independently, and we are thankful for this decision. As for Azerbaijan, this issue has been discussed today. A decision was made to achieve it gradually. An easier visa regime may be applied on people of a certain category – businessmen, people of science and well known people. In general, our certain mechanisms and internal procedures have not been completed yet. After completion of these procedures, of course, Turkish citizens will also be able to come to Azerbaijan free of visa. We are working on this issue. This issue was discussed. The Turkish side understands Azerbaijan's position on this issue. With joint efforts we will make important steps towards the solution of this issue.

As for project TANAP, this, as I said in my opening remarks, is purely Azerbaijani-Turkish project. For many years, various options and projects were discussed for the supply of Azerbaijani gas to Europe. Unfortunately, none of them has been implemented. In this situation, two fraternal countries took full responsibility, including financial. TANAP advantage is that this project will be realized together. This project is open to third parties. The remaining specific interest may be transferred to partner companies. Thus, the project TANAP can be given international status.

The main thing is to deliver Azerbaijani gas to Turkey and through its territory to Europe on a larger scale. Once the gas reaches the European area, the question of the ways in which it will enter into this space is already a technical and economic issue. Geography dictates that our gas will flow to Europe through either Bulgaria or Greece. Currently, SOCAR and partner companies are considering all options. Preference will be given to the most acceptable, most secure and cost-effective option. But I also want to note that currently member countries of the European Union are building interconnecting pipelines. Entering Europe from any point, the Azerbaijani gas can cover wider European space. I hope that this project will be completed in 2017. Thank you.

Correspondent of The Public Television, Elchin Mirzayev: My question is to Mr. Erdogan. Mr. Prime Minister, at a time when the process of negotiations on the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is going on, some circles, not paying attention to it, once again put on the agenda the issue of opening the border between Turkey and Armenia. I would like to know your position on this issue.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan: Thank you. Regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict - There can be no question about the opening our doors etc. as long as the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is not solved and the issue of one or two regions is not settled. We say it all the time while we are in power. We cannot make such a move. All the steps that we will make have this goal: Armenians must withdraw from the currently occupied lands. Despite the fact that international structures say this place is Azerbaijan, these lands have not been returned to their just owners, and it brings forth our position clearly and precisely. Our position regarding Armenia will continue to be as it is now. As a party interested in this process, we will continue to always be with Azerbaijan.

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