The second meeting of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Estonia was held in Tallin on 30 September 2014.
Azerbaijan at the meeting was represented by a delegation headed by Minister of Communications and High Technologies of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Abbasov.
The delegation included Deputy Minister of Energy and Industry Natig Abbasov, Deputy Minister of Taxes Sahib Alakbarov, as well as representatives of the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economy and Industry, Education, Culture and Tourism, including representatives of the Central Bank and State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ASAN service).
Estonian delegation was headed by Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure of Estonia Mrs Urve Palo.
At the meeting, it was noted that the political and economic foundation of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Estonia was laid in the joint declaration signed by presidents Ilham Aliyev and Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Ilham Aliyev during their official visits in 2009 and 2010.
An essential tool for the practical implementation of the agreements is an intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation.
Cooperation in the field of industry and energy, information and communication technologies (ICTs), as well as finance, customs duties and taxes, transport, agriculture, the environment, youth policy, education and research, social welfare and culture were discussed during the second meeting of the intergovernmental commission.
At the meeting, heads of delegations stressed the practical importance of economic cooperation in current format.
The parties demonstrated their commitment to implementing a number of projects aimed at strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries during the meeting.
On the results of the intergovernmental meeting the heads of Estonian and Azerbaijani delegations, Urve Palo and Ali Abbasov signed a protocol.
Taking into account the mutual interest of the parties in the cooperation in the fields of industry and energy, several meetings were held both with representatives of government agencies and business circles of Estonia.
At the meeting with private sector, it was noted that the Azerbaijani government supports the idea of enhancing cooperation with Estonia and will contribute to the creation of favorable conditions for business.
During the visit, Azerbaijani delegation visited the Estonian government building (Stenbock House), where Ali Abbasov met with Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia Taavi Rõivas who briefed the delegation of Azerbaijan on the operation of the e-government.
During the visit, Ali Abbasov also met with the rector of Tallin Technical University, delivered a lecture before academic and student audiences.
The program of the visit also included a visit to the building of electronic presentation of new technologies e-Estonia Showroom, where the Azerbaijani delegation was presented the Estonian industrial park Tehnopolis.
The delegation headed by Minister Ali Abbasov also visited the “e-government Academy”, which aims to use the opportunities of information and communication technologies in public dialogue and democratic governance.
On the occasion of the second meeting of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Estonia, a reception was given on behalf of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Estonia, which was attended by Arnold Ruutel, former president of the Republic of Estonia, MPs, ministers and representatives of business circles and public organizations in Estonia.
At the reception, a welcoming speech was made by Tofig Zulfugarov, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Estonia. Speaking at the event, Minister Ali Abbasov spoke about the work of the intergovernmental commission and prospects of bilateral cooperation, as well as presented the tablet computer AZPAD, produced in Azerbaijan. Minister Ali Abbasov presented the tablet to former president of the Republic of Estonia Arnold Ruutel.
Azerbaijani national dances performed by Estonian dance group “Gracia” gave a special touch to the evening and were greeted with prolonged applause.
Azerbaijani delegation at the meetings and events was accompanied by Tofig Zulfugarov, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Estonia.