Dear participants of the summit!

I greet you at the Fifth Economic Summit of the Eurasian states and wish success to the work of the conference.

Eurasian economic summits have become tradition since 1998, these events have been attended by governmental and non-governmental organizations of some European and Asian states on the initiative of Marmara Group Strategic and Social Research Foundation and the direct support of the Turkish government. It is an obvious example of role played by the Republic of Turkey in the development of friendly and cooperative relations among the nations.

In the present world, which is changing rapidly and developing dynamically, peaceful life of different states and peoples, their economic and cultural development, and the interest for security require establishment of interstate relations based on mutual respect, on cooperation and humanitarian relations in different fields, and abolition of conflicts, terror, and aggressive separatism. Discussion of these problems in the time when the progressive mankind has begun a wide struggle against the cases, which separate people from each other and create discord among them, acquire special importance . I hope that this worthy event held with the participation of high level officials, prominent economic, scientific circles and the representatives of international organizations will contribute to the investigation of new opportunities for the development of comprehensive beneficial relations and elaboration of efficient recommendations.

I want to mention with pleasure that the achievements in the main directions in the field of cooperation in the region, very courageous and giant projects are being realized, we are proud of them. A few days ago, we took part in the foundation ceremony of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main export oil pipeline with Presidents of Turkey and Russia and high officials of the USA. It has been realized insistently and for which we were waiting impatiently. We do not doubt that this global project will play a matchless role in the transformation of economic and social image of the region, in the improvement of the welfare of the countries and peoples in the region, in providing economic security, and in the development of humanitarian-cultural relations. Today we are decisively trying with other countries of the region to construct Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas-pipeline and to restore “Great Silk Way” Eurasian transport-communication corridor. The main target and aim in all these tasks is the improvement of the welfare of the countries and peoples of the region, their security and bloom.

I wish success to the work of the conference and believe that the decisions, which will be adopted here will influence positively the regional and international cooperation.

Heydar Aliyev,

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan