Turkey seeks to develop economic ties

The key topic on the agenda of the Azeri-Turkish inter-governmental economic commission meeting in Baku was development of trade, economic and cultural relations between the two countries.

The bilateral commission met in Baku last week to attend to what both parties believe are obstacles in the way of boosting economic cooperation.

The Turkish delegation was led by state minister Abdulkhalig Mehmet Cay, while on behalf of Azerbaijan the commission is co-chaired by vice-premier Abid Sharifov.

In his opening remarks, Abid Sharifov said that due to a long break between commission meetings, a number of problems had arisen.

Since relations with Turkey hold a special place in the country's foreign economic policy, the Azerbaijan government is interested in boosting them, he said.

The Turkish co-chair of the commission A. M. Cay indicated that Turkey too attaches a particular importance to relations with Azerbaijan.

He also complained that the Azerbaijan government has been making it difficult for Turkish entrepreneurs to work in Azerbaijan.

For instance, Turkey, unlike many other countries, does not enjoy customs benefits in export-import operations, which leads to a number of problems.

The state minister mentioned that Turkish businessmen have invested $1.4 billion in Azerbaijan, saying that as where in 1998 the figure stood at $200 million, in 1999-2000 the investment volume dwindled to $35 million. 1,500 Turkish companies have come to work in Azerbaijan, with only a third remaining, he said.

The state minister said openly that solution of problems in bilateral trade and economic relations is up to the Azerbaijan party.

Back on track

As a result of the negotiations, the commission agreed to resolve existing economic problems. This was announced by the state minister Abdulkhalig Mehmet Cay in a subsequent news conference.

According to him, the parties have discussed ways of facilitating the export of Turkish goods to Azerbaijan, energy supply of Nakhchivan, entry and exit of NAR residents to and from Turkey, and favored status for Turkish businessmen in Azerbaijan.

He said the parties had achieved understanding on repayment by Azerbaijan of the debt to Turkish "EximBank", as Baku has agreed to clear a part of the arrears.

In a meeting with President Aliyev, the commission aired its grievances over the hindrances being created for Turkish entrepreneurs and was promised by the head of state that all problems would be eliminated.

On Friday, the delegation was received by Prime Minister Rasizadeh and Health Minister A. Insanov.

Debt to be repaid

The $2 million arrears of Turkish state television channels TRT-1 and TGRT for the dissemination of their programs in Azerbaijan will soon be cleared, minister for communication Nadir Ahmadov told journalists Friday.

He said the issue was considered by the commission, as the Turkish party pledged to repay the debt in the near future.

As for STV and NTV, these are private channels and will pay for the broadcasts on time.

Touching upon the debt of Russian ORT and RTR channels, the minister said they are not too big and will soon be repaid.