Azerbaijan,UK eye prospects of energy, defence cooperation
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has received Minister for the Armed Forces of UK, member of the UK Parliament James Heappey.
The sides noted with pleasure that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and the UK, saying that the two countries had enjoyed fruitful cooperation in various areas during this period. The importance of the congratulatory letter of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Boris Johnson to President Ilham Aliyev and the Azerbaijani president’s letter of congratulations to Boris Johnson on this occasion was emphasized at the meeting.
They underlined that the successful cooperation between the two countries for 30 years creates good grounds for further expansion of bilateral relations.
The sides exchanged views on prospects for cooperation in the areas oil and gas, UK’s investment in Azerbaijan's economy, as well as in trade, transport and defence.
Azerbaijan's participation in the NATO’s “Resolute Support” mission in Afghanistan was pointed out during the conversation.
Aliyev highlighted the regional processes in the postconflict period after the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
MP James Heappey later discussed with Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov regional security, ties and rehabilitation of liberated lands.
Bayramov provided updates on the implementation of the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia, as well as the fight against the mine threat in liberated areas.
He discussed the possibility of normalizing relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the restoration and reconstruction of liberated lands.
The minister also lauded UK companies' contributions to mine clearance as well as their participation in the reconstruction of liberated areas. The ministers also discussed the restoration of liberated territories as well as the prospects for cooperation on alternative energy sources and other issues.
Throughout the conversation, both parties expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation between the two countries in bilateral and multilateral frameworks. The economic success of the two countries was discussed.
Political, economic, trade, energy, and investment perspectives were all discussed. The importance of Azerbaijan's contribution to Europe's energy security was also emphasized.
The ministers stressed that the UK is Azerbaijan's largest foreign direct investor.
Bayramov added that 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of Azerbaijan establishing diplomatic relations with the UK and that Azerbaijan places a high value on relations with this country.
The sides also focused on Ukraine and other issues of mutual interest.
At the meeting with Defence Minister Zakir Hasanov, the sides mulled bilateral military cooperation, the situation in the Karabakh economic zone, and the Azerbaijani-Armenian border.