 | Libya Assessing Economic Co-Op Prospects |
A Libyan delegation led by assistant secretary for political issues of the People`s Committee on foreign relations and international cooperation (first deputy foreign minister) Saad Mustafa Mujbir arrived in Baku Thursday. Saba Agayeva Azernews Staff Writer
The delegation was welcomed at the airport by Azeri deputy foreign minister Khalaf Khalafov, other ministry officials, Libyan, Egyptian and Iraqi ambassadors, advisor to Saudi embassy, diplomats and members of the Azerbaijan-Libyan Friendship Society.
Also, the delegation held a meeting with Azeri intellectuals at the Center for Islamic Studies "Irshad".
President
to visit Libya
Meeting with President Aliyev, Mr. Saad Mustafa Mujbir handed to President Aliyev an invitation on behalf of the Libyan leader Muammar Kaddafi.
Heydar Aliyev said he was accepting the invitation and would pay a visit to Libya.
The distinguished guest spoke of the meetings he had held in Baku. He pointed out with some regret that despite the best of his country`s effort the Palestinian and Garabagh problems remain unresolved.
"We need to seek new ways of their solution. I think your meeting with Colonel Muammar Kaddafi will be a step in this direction", he said.
The Libyan deputy minister said Mr. Kaddafi is currently completing the establishment of the African Union, which is expected to unite some 700 million people. Its establishment will be announced at an extraordinary session in Libya in 3-4 months, Mr. Mujbir said.
He emphasized that a lot had been said about friendship during his meetings in Baku and it was time to undertake concrete work, which needs to be outlined by the heads of the two states.
President Aliyev stated that Libya is one of Azerbaijan`s permanent partners and this country took an active part in the adoption of an OIC resolution in favor of Azerbaijan. He described as very important the establishment of the African Union and spoke highly of the role Muammar Kaddafi has played in this. H. Aliyev said he would visit Libya and discuss the necessary issues with his counterpart.
Attending the meeting was deputy foreign minister Khalaf Khalafov and Libyan ambassador Nasir Muhammad Abdul Al-Samii.
Economic co-op
Receiving the Libyan delegation, Foreign Minister Vilayat Guliyev said the visit would contribute to the revitalization of economic cooperation between the two countries.
Min. Guliyev congratulated Mr. Saad Mustafa Mujbir and the people of Libya on the lifting of UN sanctions and spoke highly of this country`s resolute position in regard to the Armenian-Azerbaijan conflict, as well as partnership of the two countries in international and regional entities.
The distinguished guest underscored the importance of economic collaboration, in particular petroleum development, trade and culture.
He suggested that a joint commission be set up to monitor implementation of agreements signed.
The talks at the level of delegations, led by deputy foreign ministers Khalaf Khalafov and Saad Mustafa Mujbir, continued at the MFA Saturday, as parties reviewed a broad range of issues pertaining to economic, scientific, cultural, educational, health, and air communication fields. The delegations also considered drafts of various bilateral agreements.
Investment
Mr. Saad Mustafa Mujbir told a meeting at SOCAR Saturday that Libya could invest in Azerbaijan`s oil and gas sectors.
"Your country`s successes in this area illustrate how favorable investment environment in Azerbaijan is", he said.
On the request of the delegation, SOCAR vice-president Kh. Yusifzadeh spoke of the history of Azerbaijan`s oil and gas industry, focusing on each of the 20 oil contracts signed in the past 6 years.
The Libyan delegation took a particular interest in exploration and development of fields, transportation of hydrocarbons to world markets, as well as Azerbaijan`s refining capacities.
General manager of Libyan "Raslanuf Oil and Gas Processing Company" Mr. Omar Gazal said oil and gas production in Libya started developing after the revolution and at present the country is among OPEC leaders in this field.
Oil is largely produced onshore with fewer offshore fields under development.
Libyan oil, just like Azeri, is in great demand in international markets, he said.
At the present time, Libya and other African countries are working on a global program of unification of all oil and gas fields and transport communications in Africa into a common network. For this, not only pipelines but also rail- and motor-ways need to be brought into conformity with requirements.
Azerbaijan, as an oil exporter, could get involved in this project, Mr. Gazal said.
In conclusion, Mr. Mujbir voiced his confidence that meetings between national oil companies would be continued both in Baku and Tripoli.
The delegation was received by speaker of the Milli Mejlis Murtuz Alaskarov, Prime Minister Artur Rasizadeh, head of the Caucasus Clerical Office Allahshukur Pashazadeh, representatives of the Ministry of Education, SOCAR and the Ministry of Economics.
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Issue No.No.47(177), 2000
Oil & Gas NewsArt & CultureLibya Assessing Economic Co-Op Prospects
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