From the conversation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev with Akihiro Tzuchi president of the company \"Tomen\" - Tokyo, residence of the President of Azerbaijan, February 24, 1998

Dear Mr. Tzuchi,

First of all, thank you for your kind words about our country and the Azerbaijani people.

I am very much pleased with my successful visit to Japan, and appreciate it as a great event in the history of the relations between our countries and peoples. I listened attentively to some of your proposals on the cooperation with our country and appreciate your particular interest in establishing close relations with Azerbaijan in many spheres. I am sure that my first official visit to Japan at the invitation of Prime Minister Mr. Hashimoto will open a new phase in the cooperation between our countries. Many of the most influential companies of many countries in the world take part in the implementation of the signed agreements on joint developments in the Azerbaijani Sector of the Caspian Sea. Our country is open to foreign businessmen and all the conditions are provided for their extensive work in Azerbaijan. I am sure that the cooperation with \"Tomen\" will bring great benefits to both sides.

Azerbaijan is rich in natural resources, it is located in a geopolitically favourable area. That is why, I am pleased that you are aware of legal and democratic state-building activities and reforms conducted in the period of my leadership in Azerbaijan and achievements of the recent years. I am very pleased that you attach special importance to the integration of the economy of our country into the world community. At the same time, you told with pleasure about great prospects for cooperation in the development of the rich natural resources in the Azerbaijani Sector of the Caspian Sea. There is a need for the construction of wind power stations in Azerbaijan, produced by \"Tomen\" and preparation of the study of feasibility required for encouraging the relations in this area.