Trump to Aliyev: "You are a great leader" as leaders sign landmark accord PHOTO

On August 8, in Washington, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and US President Donald Trump signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the United States. The document provides for the creation of a Strategic Working Group tasked with drafting the Charter on Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

Following the signing ceremony, the two leaders held a discussion, Caliber.Az reports via Azertag.

President Ilham Aliyev: This is the end of 33 years of sanctions. It has been possible thanks to President Trump.

President Donald Trump said: Your people are great. Even before we met, you said nice things about me, even before we won the elections.

President Ilham Aliyev: Yes, before you won. Those words were quite sincere. You earned the sympathy of the Azerbaijani people and the international community for the work you did in your first term as president. Over the past few months, you have brought peace to Asia, Africa and finally to the South Caucasus. This is incredible.

President Donald Trump: The conflict between Pakistan and India. This was a serious issue, because both are nuclear countries.

President Ilham Aliyev: Cambodia and Thailand.

President Donald Trump: Yes, we have done some great things. You would do the same. Your conflict is also a serious issue. How long did the fighting last - 33, 35 years?

President Ilham Aliyev: Yes, the conflict began in 1988. But the active phase of military hostilities began in 1991-1992.

President Donald Trump: But the conflict was not resolved.

President Ilham Aliyev: No. The war stopped in 1994 and a period of endless and meaningless negotiations began.

President Donald Trump: This is a very serious matter.

President Ilham Aliyev: Of course, you have achieved a miracle.

President Donald Trump: But the media never want to hear about it.

President Ilham Aliyev: The Azerbaijani media will cover that.

President Donald Trump: You are a great leader.

President Ilham Aliyev: The great leader is sitting next to me.

President Donald Trump: I have a gift for you. Let me present it to you. I think you will like it.

President Ilham Aliyev: I have nine grandchildren, so if you allow me, I would take them all.

President Donald Trump: You have nine grandchildren? Give us some extra coins. You are conducting talks very well. Everyone likes these coins. They are the most beautiful coins in the world. They are perhaps the most expensive coins in the world. Members of the delegation, do come closer and take pictures.

In conclusion, President Donald Trump, who presented the symbolic key of the White House to President Ilham Aliyev, said: I have another gift for you. This is the symbolic key of the White House. I don’t present it very often.