Mr. Nishigaki,

I express my gratitude to you for your friendly and kind attitude. Thank you for your warm words about our country. I am pleased to hear that you have comprehensive information about Azerbaijan and hope that our meeting will help to develop our relations.

I want to emphasize my pleasure in connection with the relations established between the Japanese Foreign Economic Cooperation Fund and Azerbaijan. I appreciate “The Diplomacy of the Silk Road” proposed by Mr. Hashimoto it will contribute to the development of all-round relations between the countries of Southern Caucasus and the Middle East. An international conference with the participation of the European Union in May, 1998 will be held, it will be participated by the delegations from 33 countries located on “the Silk Road” will be held in May, 1998 and it will play an important role in strengthening the relations among these countries.  Though the cooperation between the Japanese companies, the Japanese Foreign Economic Cooperation Fund and Azerbaijan has started a little late, a number of measures have been taken for the implementation of many projects. I am confident that my official visit to the Land of the Rising Sun will open a new phase in development and expansion of cooperation between our countries in many spheres.