 On the second day of the official visit of the Azerbaijani President to Slovenia, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, and the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Dr Ilham Aliyev, met for a working breakfast. They then participated at the opening of the Slovenian-Azerbaijani Business Forum in Ljubljana, where they addressed business representatives of both countries. Later they set out to the town of ©empas, where they opened a museum dedicated to the Azerbaijani national hero, Mehdi Huseynzadeh-Mihajlo. |
 In his address to the Business Forum, President Türk expressed his satisfaction that two years after a similar forum during an official visit to Azerbaijan, numerous promising business initiatives have started to yield results. There has been notable progress in information technologies, the insurance industry and preparatory work for hydro power station projects. The President pointed out that in the previous year, despite the persisting crisis, trade between the two countries increased by 10 per cent. In a wider context, said the President, we should proceed with strategic and long-term reflections. Slovenia and other member states of the European Union should improve their awareness of Azerbaijan, develop new forms of cooperation and thus build sound foundations of economic cooperation. |
 The Azerbaijani President, Dr Ilham Aliyev, expressed his belief that this Business Forum will, besides new ideas, also bring about practical outcomes. President Aliyev pointed out that Azerbaijan is open to foreign investments and, despite its rich energy resources, is committed to developing non-energy sectors and strengthening the economy towards sustainable development. He sees the most promising potential in the development of agriculture, tourism and information technology. The Azerbaijani President invited Slovenian companies to actively participate in the development and infrastructure projects laid out in detail in the national investment programme. |
 In ©empas, the President of Azerbaijan first laid a wreath at the monument of the Azerbaijani national hero. Then he and the Slovenian President participated in unveiling the memorial plaque on the front of the museum building. The museum is dedicated to Mehdija Huseynzadeh-Mihajlo, who during the Second World War fought with the partisans of the Primorska region against the occupation of Slovenia and was killed on 2 November 1944 in the village of Vitovlje. |
 In his opening speech, President Türk pointed out that at a time when both states are celebrating their twentieth anniversaries of independence, we recollect our deeper roots which connect us. The President said that it is worth remembering the fight against fascism and Nazism, since without victory there would be no modern Europe, well-being, connectedness and lasting peace. The President added that many very practical connections exist between the two states, many of which are deeply ingrained and carry an important cultural message. |
 President Aliyev thanked the inhabitants of ©empas and the Municipality of Nova Gorica for maintaining the memory of the national hero, Mihajlo, who is, as President Aliyev said, a son of two nations. |