Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

The issue of international terrorism emerged as the key concern at the G20 economic summit held in Turkish Antalya from November 15-16.

The world's leading countries, fighting recession and economic instability, discussed Syria, ISIS, and the migrants' crisis in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack in France. World leaders admitted that there can be no economic or financial stability without a resolution to the conflicts that generate terror.

The G20 is a very prestigious event, bringing together on a regular basis the countries, representing 85 percent of the global industry, 80 percent of the world trade and two-thirds of the world’s population. This year, Azerbaijan participated for the first time as a special guest of the host country.

Turkey chose Azerbaijan not only for its brotherhood and friendly relations with the country, but based on the status that Azerbaijan enjoys today in the region. Being a young country, Azerbaijan does not account for any significant share in the global economy, but its economy accounts for almost 80 percent of the economy of the South Caucasus, proving its vitality even though the conditions were not favorable.

Trans-regional projects being realized currently following the initiative taken by Azerbaijan and as a result of its participation are important for many states that are today part of the Group of Twenty.

Meanwhile, the already realized projects are now part of the solution that Europe found to its energy problems. The future projects will ensure a more solid foundation for energy security.

Addressing a working lunch as part of the summit, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev stressed that partnership between Azerbaijan and Turkey is growing constantly. In the energy sector, the partnership has grown from a regional one to one on a global scale, he added.

“Azerbaijan is the first country where oil has been extracted since the mid-19th century,” said the President. “Now, in the 21st century, we are implementing the Southern Gas Corridor project.”

“The implementation of this project will allow us to enter the markets of other countries through Italy,” said Aliyev, adding that $45 billion worth of investments will allow creation of a single gas network that will be able to transport the gas produced on the Caspian Sea coast.

Noting that the Southern Gas Corridor will ensure energy security, Aliyev said today, the energy security issue cannot be considered separate from the country’s national security.

It is a project of diversification, said the president, adding that in this case, diversification means not only routes, which are also important, but also diversification of sources.

“In this regard, our source is new for Europe,” said President Aliyev. “The project will completely change Europe’s energy map and Azerbaijan has already proved itself as a reliable partner.”

“Naturally, we should ensure the interests of transit states, consumer countries and producing countries,” he emphasized.

“In order to achieve all our goals, we should create favorable conditions for all the parties,” said Ilham Aliyev.

Addressing the summit, the head of state also expressed his opinion on the pressing issue of the international terrorism, as Azerbaijan has something to say on this matter, being the country that for decades suffers from terrorism – an integral part of Armenia’s policy of occupation against the country.

Over 2,000 Azerbaijani citizens were killed as a result of the terrorist attacks committed by an Armenian terrorist organization in Azerbaijan, he added.

Talking about the occupation of Azerbaijani lands, the president said that 20 percent of the country’s territory has been occupied as a result of Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan and the policy of ethnic cleansing was pursued against the country.

President Ilham Aliyev drew attention of the heads of state to the fact that Armenia has been ignoring the resolutions of the world's number one organization.

The president pointed out that the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be resolved only in accordance with the international law and within Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity.

President Aliyev stressed that his country actively participates in fighting international terrorism and was one of the first countries to join the operations of coalition forces in Afghanistan.

The summit in Antalya will also be remembered for its humanitarian component, and business issues, in which Azerbaijan was represented as well.

As part of the summit, a joint session “Business-20”/”Women-20” was organized with the participation of Azerbaijan’s First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and Vice-president of the Foundation, Leyla Aliyeva.

The President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation also visited exhibition at “G-20”-“Yurt” cultural area and visited the rehabilitation center for persons with disabilities in Antalya.

Azerbaijan's participation in the G20 summit was useful as well as important, both for the country and its partners. It was another opportunity to talk about pressing issues, exchange views and understand each other better, as the lack of understanding is one of the problems in the present world.