"Forthcoming issues will also be successfully implemented"

"Azerbaijan takes part in this exhibition since 2000. But this year is the first time that we are on display with our national pavilion. Pavilion pleases the eye in terms of architecture, interior design, decoration, at a high level and creates an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with our country", said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at the official presentation of the Azerbaijani pavilion at the World Expo Milan Expo 2015.

The head of state noted that the pavilion presents the rich history, culture, art, music, carpet art of Azerbaijan, books about the country, which create an overall impression of the guests about Azerbaijan.

"Azerbaijan is an ancient land. It has a rich culture, history and monuments. However, as an independent country, we are only 24 years old. Therefore, various activities are held for the promotion of our country in the world, Europe. Milan 2015 occupies a special place among them. At the same time, in our Pavilion also reflected the current realities of Azerbaijan", - the President said.

President Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan is a dynamic, open-world country situated between the East and the West: "This is a bridge between East and West and geographically, politically and culturally. For centuries, representatives of different religions and nationalities lived in Azerbaijan like one family, in peace and tranquility. Today, multiculturalism in Azerbaijan is a state policy and a way of life. One of the Milan Expo is precisely multiculturalism".

"At the same time, the other topics also have importance. Among them, food security is now one of the major issues on the global agenda. I can say that Azerbaijan has taken very important steps in this direction. Azerbaijan achieved successes were rated in the report of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Azerbaijan is one of the countries where hunger is completely eliminated. According to the report FAO, Azerbaijan is one of the 29 countries where the level of hunger was reduced by more than half. This great evil in Azerbaijan was liquidated", said Ilham Aliyev.

Noting that the international position of Azerbaijan is strong enough, the President recalled that a few years ago, the country with the support of 155 countries, was elected member of the UN Security Council: "This demonstrates the international prestige of our country. Economic reforms conducted in our country allow us today to have a diversified economy. As a result of work in recent years significantly reduced the rate of unemployment and poverty. Today, unemployment and poverty in Azerbaijan are at the level of 5 percent. Over the last 10 years opened more than 1 million new jobs. Our financial position is stable enough. Our public external debt is only 10 per cent of gross domestic product. According to the calculations of the Davos World Economic Forum, Azerbaijan is on the 38th place globally for economic competitiveness. That is, it is - a high figure for the young independent state."

"Of course, there are issues facing the country. We solve them. But we have taken steps in recent years and achievements allow us to say that the upcoming issues will be successfully completed. In short, today Azerbaijan is open to the world, a modern, dynamic country with strong economic foundations, "the president said.

Referring to the Italian-Azerbaijani relations, President Ilham Aliyev noted that today these ties are at the highest level: "Italy is very friendly to us, the partner country. Develop various aspects of the Italian-Azerbaijani relations, especially political relations. Exactly one year ago, in July, during my next official visit to Italy adopted a joint declaration on strategic partnership between the two countries. That is, the strategic partnership - is the highest peak in relations between the two countries. Today, these relationships appear to us exactly as strengthening political ties."

The President also noted that Italy is Azerbaijan`s trade partner number one: "It is also very significant. It pleases us, because Italy is very close to our country, and the population of Azerbaijan applied to Italy with great love and affection. Finding operating in Azerbaijan or coming as a tourist Italians certainly feels it."

"Economic cooperation between countries is deepened. Today, Azerbaijan has more than 60 Italian companies. Of course, much of our economic relations is related to energy policy. Today, Azerbaijan and Italy are busy with the implementation of very important for our countries, regions and the European Southern Gas Corridor. Southern Gas Corridor starts in Baku, Azerbaijan and ends in Italy. The pipeline length of more than three thousand kilometers in the future will play a positive role in ensuring energy security of Europe. The current high level of relations between Italy and Azerbaijan allows us to promptly implement the Southern Gas Corridor. Thus, Italy and Azerbaijan for many years, decades, are more closely related to each other, including energy policy. In short, our bilateral relations are developing rapidly. For the development of these relations have a great opportunity", - said the Head of State.

According to the President, in two months more than one million visitors in the pavilion of Azerbaijan familiarized with the country: "This is in itself an indicator that there is a great interest to our country, and this interest is mutually.

It was noted that a few days ago ended the first European Games, which were held in Azerbaijan. Unlike other continents, European games have never been conducted. “I should also note that the decision to hold the Games was taken precisely in Italy. In December 2012 the European Olympic Committee in Rome took the decision, and this honorable mission was entrusted to us. Azerbaijan is organized and hosted the Games at the highest level. It really was a great celebration of sport and friendship. The Italian team has achieved very good results in competitions. I want to congratulate you on these victories."

"I must also point out that in two years will be held in Baku Islamic Solidarity Games, and this confirms my words, since Azerbaijan, on the one hand, are a close country to Europe, a member of the European institutions and working in these organizations, at the same time is part of the Muslim world. Its policy tries to strengthen the dialogue among civilizations, religions, cultures. I believe that the work carried out by Italy and Azerbaijan in this field is welcome, we will continue to intensify its efforts.”

The President Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan tried to demonstrate their capabilities in this exhibition. “As I said, our pavilion has reviewed more than a million people. But the best introduction of this, of course, is to see Azerbaijan. I invite you - our friends to Azerbaijan. Come to our country, and you will see how sympathy in Azerbaijan belongs to the Italians”.

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