From the talk of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev with ‎the Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Germany to Azerbaijan Claus ‎Grevlich - August 27, 2002‎

... Claus Grevlich: I feel myself well only in such a nice country which has a prosperous future. Mr. President, You have always noted that the German industry has not invested much in the Azerbaijani economy much. But I would like to say that this situation is going to change. Recently the affiliation of "Mannesmann" company has arrived in Azerbaijan. It will deal with the protection of oil pipelines. They make external and internal protection systems for oil pipelines.

"Walterbau" company has also recently created a sleepers producing plant. I am sure that this plan shall meet not only demands of Azerbaijan, but produce sleepers for the region as well. A number of other companies are expected to arrive here too.

Mr. President, we know that You pay a special attention to the development of industry. I want to be confident that investment in industry will be increased. And it will lay foundations for strengthening of stability in your country. With the help of the God Azerbaijan's industry and economy and other spheres will develop further under your leadership.

Heydar Aliyev: I am very pleased that you have taken into account my ideas about it and made efforts to invite the German companies to work in Azerbaijan. I know "Mannesmann" company. It is an old and well-known company in the world. I welcome its arrival in Azerbaijan to Azerbaijan. As I understood, that company will work for the protection of pipes from corrosion.

Construction of a sleeper producing plant here is also gladdening. First, Azerbaijan has a demand for sleepers. Not only Azerbaijan, but the whole region needs it. That is why this plant can do a lot here. I wish these works to be continuous, and new companies come to Azerbaijan.

Claus Grevlich: Mr. President, recently I was in the United States, Colorado, and a conference was held there. Bill Clinton and Madeline Albright were participating in this conference. Macedonian President Traykovski was also there. There were a number of visitors from all over the world. The topic of the conference was "Struggle against terrorism and development of democracy". I think there is a special tie between the development of democracy and struggle against terrorism. Contemporary Islam had also been touched in the conference. I was defending Azerbaijan's position there. In my speech, I said that Azerbaijan is a model for a contemporary Islamic country. Several times I noted that there are many young people in Azerbaijan with high education. I also informed about Azerbaijan's prominent musicians and people who work in the sphere of culture. I talked of your country's tolerance as well. I declared in my speech that a sheykhulislam sits next to a Christian bishop or to a Jewish rabbi, they participate in different events in Azerbaijan together. There is not any restriction is applied to any religion existing in Azerbaijan.

I also informed about the existing potential of Azerbaijan.

I touched the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict there as well. I said that the Azerbaijani diplomacy has launched a sort of an "attack" under the leadership of the President of the country. I said that Azerbaijan wanted to solve this problem not gradually, but completely. But recently there have appeared ideas about the restoration of railroads or release of the four districts first, and then negotiations are to be held on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh. I think that Azerbaijan takes positive steps and displays initiatives for the settlement of the conflict.

The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline is of great importance. Because a number of countries are interested in the stability in the region connected with this pipeline. I informed much about Azerbaijan there. I could describe the positive changes and atmosphere here.

At the end of the conference, Madeline Albright, the former US Secretary of State, approached me, and asked to deliver his letter personally to You. Let me present this letter to you. It may seem strange, to You why the German ambassador to Azerbaijan is doing it. Perhaps, it is part of the globalization.

Heydar Aliyev: That is a very good case.Thank you, Mr. Ambassador.I am happy for your participation in the conference and what you said in the conference there.As I understood that, being a German Ambassador to Azerbaijan, at the same time you have done those works as a man who loves Azerbaijan very much and appreciates the works done here. We need it very much. Because, there is a need to give comprehensive information and explanations about Azerbaijan. Unfortunately, not everybody and everywhere knows the truths about Azerbaijan.That is whyI highly appreciate your initiative and activity there, and express my gratitude to you. I hope you will continue your activity in this direction.

Thank you also for delivering the letter from Ms. Albright to me. She is a very nice and worthy woman. I know her long ago. She was the US envoy at the United Nations before. I invited her to Azerbaijan and she came and we met here and she got acquainted with Azerbaijan.

Then President Clinton appointed her Secretary of State. I was meeting her often when she was holding this post. We were cooperating well. She was well aware of the problems of our region. Especially she was very active in the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. Then we told each other that we are friends. Unfortunately, I have no contacts with her after she left the office.

That is why, this letter is very important to me. I will reply her letter without fail and meet her when I visit the United States.