Azerbaijan official calls for Japan PM's visit

Azerbaijan on Wednesday invited Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to visit the oil-rich former Soviet republic, with the aim of enhancing the bilateral economic relationship.

During his visit to Tokyo, Ali Hasanov, top state adviser to Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, told Kyodo News he had handed a letter of invitation to officials close to Abe Wednesday afternoon.

Abe's visit "would stimulate economic cooperation" between the two countries, Hasanov said in an interview. No Japanese prime minister has visited Azerbaijan since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992.

He said his country already eased visa requirements for Japanese nationals from February to allow them obtain the visas upon arriving at Azerbaijan airports under the aim of promoting exchange and attracting investment from Japan.

Japan was the biggest donor of official development assistance to the country in 2013, providing $42.9 million. Exports from Japan to Azerbaijan by value totaled 8.9 billion yen ($78.2 million) in 2015, while that of imports stood at 141.1 million yen, according to Japanese government data.

Regarding the country's abundant natural resources, Hasanov said the country has devalued its currency in the face of recent sharp decline in oil prices, while noting it will start supplying natural gas to Europe by 2018 as its plan to build pipelines through Turkey to Europe is underway.

He also said the country's capital Baku will be connected to eastern Turkey by a railway that would start operating in August or September.

Looking ahead, Hasanov said Azerbaijan would serve as a "bridge" for Japan in bringing goods to Europe once China and Central Asia are connected with railways and ferries.

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