In Baku, Victor Yushchenko and Ilham Aliyev have discussed areas of cooperation between Ukraine and Azerbaijan, according to the President’s press-office.

      They agreed the two countries strived to profoundly develop bilateral relations and thereby decided to establish an interstate commission to deal with the most important issues.

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      Mr. Yushchenko said Ukraine was ready to take part in energy projects together with Azerbaijan and offered his colleague cooperation in the Odessa-Brody oil pipeline project.

      In his turn, Mr. Aliyev said his country produced more oil every year, adding it was quite expedient to transport Caspian hydrocarbons to European consumers via Ukraine. The leaders also discussed their experience in the exploration of oil fields and production of crude, particularly in the Black Sea.

      They agreed the two countries could also cooperate in agriculture and in the military sector, and also jointly build aircraft.

      Mr. Yushchenko and Mr. Aliyev broached the subject of regional cooperation. The President of Ukraine said his country would help Azerbaijan settle the Nagorny Karabakh armed conflict.

      Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk, First Deputy Premier Andriy Klyuyev, Emergency Minister Viktor Baloha, First Deputy Energy Minister Vadym Chuprun, Agriculture Minister Yuriy Melnyk, Transport Minister Mykola Rudkovsky, Naftogaz Chairman Volodymyr Sheludchenko, Ukrtransnafta Head of the Board Evhen Bakulin and deputies Anatoly Kinakh and Eduard Zeynalov attended the talks.

      Then the Presidents took part in a ceremony to sign bilateral agreements.

      Victor Yushchenko and Ilham Aliyev signed a Joint Declaration Between Ukraine and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

      Naftogaz Chairman Volodymyr Sheludchenko signed an Agreement Between Naftogaz Ukraiiny and the Azerbaijan State Oil Company on Long-Term Cooperation.

      Ukraine’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Stepan Volkovetsky signed an Agreement Between Ukraine’s Nuclear Regulation Committee and the Azeri Emergency Ministry on Cooperation in the Area of Radiological Security.

      Agriculture Minister Yuriy Melnyk signed an Agreement Between the Agriculture Ministry of Ukraine and the Agriculture Ministry of Azerbaijan on Cooperation in the Area of the State Testing and Protection of Varieties of Plants.

      Transport Minister Mykola Rudkovsky signed an Agreement Between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of Azerbaijan on International Combined Cargo Transportation.

      Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk signed an Agreement Between the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine and the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan on the Training of Diplomats and an Agreement Between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of Azerbaijan on the Protection of the Environment.