Speech by Ilham Aliyev at the foundation-laying ceremony for the French Lyceum in Baku

Dear Mr. President!

Dear guests!

Ladies and gentlemen!

Mr. President, let me cordially welcome you to Azerbaijan again. Your visit is of historic nature. The President of France is visiting Azerbaijan for the first time. I am sure that your visit will contribute a lot to the further successful development of French-Azerbaijani relations. We have multifaceted relations covering all areas. The cooperation existing between our two countries in recent years inspires us even more and leads us to believe that French-Azerbaijani relations will be of strategic nature in the future too.

Our political relations are very intense. I have repeatedly visited your beautiful country, while today you are our guest. The prospects for our political cooperation are also great. France is playing an important part in the development of relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union. I would like to thank you for the support that you personally and the country you are leading have been providing to European Union-Azerbaijan relations. The recent “Eastern Partnership” summit has demonstrated again that the relations between the European Union and Azerbaijan are developing successfully. France is also playing a special part in Azerbaijan-NATO relations. I am sure your country will continue to support the development of these ties.

Of course, regional security issues are always in the spotlight. We have had a very broad and sincere discussion on these issues today. As a co-chair country in the Minsk Group, France plays an important role in the peaceful settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. We appreciate this role and hope that thanks to your personal efforts the conflict will soon be resolved in line with international law and the territorial integrity of our country will be restored.

Azerbaijani lands, Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding seven districts, have been under occupation for many years. As a result of this occupation and a policy of ethnic cleansing, more than one million Azerbaijanis are living a life of refugees and IDPs in their native land. An end must be put to this, and as you pointed out, the status quo must be changed. I think there are good opportunities for changing the status quo, and Azerbaijan is more than anyone interested in changing the status quo because it is our land and our land is under occupation. International organizations have passed decisions on the issue – the UN Security Council, the OSCE, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, etc. So there is a legal framework for resolving the issue. I am sure that more serious steps will be taken in the near future, the conflict will end and peace and cooperation will be established in the South Caucasus.

The economic cooperation between our countries is also developing very successfully. I can say that trade between our countries exceeds $3 billion over the first 8 months of this year, and there is room for further development. I hope that by the end of the year this figure will reach $4 billion. There are around 40 French companies successfully operating in Azerbaijan. They implement various ecological and environmental projects. Azerbaijan’s waste disposal plant is being built by a French company. French companies are involved in the conceptual development of the Baku underground. Our first telecommunications satellite will be put into orbit by a French company. So there are good opportunities for cooperation in this area too.

Our cooperation in the area of energy security is successful. The discovery by French companies Total and Gas de France of a new gas field in Azerbaijan will enhance our country’s energy potential and have a positive impact on European energy security. Because, as you know, Azerbaijan is playing a very important part in the Southern Gas Corridor. These issues are also part of the European Union-Azerbaijan agenda.

The recently discovered gas field has 350 billion cubic meters of gas, and Azerbaijan’s current gas potential is 2.6 trillion cubic meters. I am very pleased that French companies are successfully operating in Azerbaijan as our partners.

Finally, our cooperation in the humanitarian sphere is very broad. A center of Azerbaijani culture will start operating in Paris soon. And today we will lay the foundation for a French Lyceum in Baku. This is a very remarkable and wonderful event. The launch of this Lyceum will further strengthen French-Azerbaijani relations. It is a symbol of our friendship. At the same time, this is major investment in Azerbaijan’s education. I would like to express my appreciation to everyone who has contributed to the creation of this Lyceum. The participation of the French President in this foundation-laying ceremony certainly makes it special.

I am sure, dear Mr. President, that we will also attend the opening of this Lyceum together. Once again, welcome to Azerbaijan, and I wish you and the country you are leading further successes. Thank you.