Press release

UK Minister for Europe on first visit to Azerbaijan

皇冠体育app Minister鈥檚 visit will support UK trade and business and strengthen our relationship and dialogue with Azerbaijan on foreign policy, security and reform.

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government
Minister for Europe and the Americas, Sir Alan Duncan

On Thursday 14 September Minister for Europe and the Americas, Sir Alan Duncan, will visit Azerbaijan.

皇冠体育app Minister will attend the signing ceremony to celebrate the renewal of a BP led consortium鈥檚 contract with the Azerbaijan State Oil Company, SOCAR. Since the original contract was signed, the resulting investments of tens of billions of dollars have brought more than 3 billion barrels of oil to world markets. This new contract will create thousands of jobs for both countries.

皇冠体育app Minister will meet President Ilham Aliyev and Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov for discussions on mutual foreign policy interests and democratic and economic reform.

皇冠体育app Minister will also meet civil society representatives as part of the UK鈥檚 support for human rights and democracy.

Ahead of his visit, the Minister said:

皇冠体育app UK鈥檚 relationship with Azerbaijan goes far beyond our 25 years of diplomatic relations. From the Azerbaijani students studying in the UK, to British business investing in Baku, to our cooperation against international terrorism, our relationship is going from strength to strength.

As the largest foreign investor in Azerbaijan, the UK is uniquely placed to support Azerbaijan鈥檚 development. I鈥檓 proud that the extension of BP鈥檚 contract means that UK technology and expertise will help Azerbaijan鈥檚 prosperity and security for many years to come.

Reform, transparency and human rights are essential to a successful and prosperous society. I look forward to my conversations with the Azerbaijani government and civil society, to understand how the UK can support Azerbaijan further.

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Published 13 September 2017