Azerbaijan, UK discuss cooperation, regional situation

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and British State Minister for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and the United Nations Tariq Mahmood Ahmad discussed topical issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Great Britain, as well as the regional situation.

The meeting was held within the framework of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe, held in Reykjavík on May 16–17 2023, Foreign Ministry told Caliber.az.

During the meeting, Bayramov noted the existence of an agenda for effective cooperation in the political and economic fields, in the areas of energy security, trade, investment, transport, education, and culture, stressing the need to use the existing opportunities for further development of relations.

Recalling that the UK is the largest investor in the Azerbaijani economy, Bayramov noted with satisfaction the experience of implementing joint projects and added that Azerbaijan is interested in continuing this successful cooperation.

The presence of a strategic partnership between the two countries in the oil and gas industry and a wide potential for the development of alternative energy resources was emphasized.

Furthermore, Bayramov informed his interlocutor in detail about the situation in the region in the post-conflict period, large-scale restoration and construction works carried out in the liberated territories, the fight against mine threats, the process of normalising relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the peace agenda. He also highly appreciated the support provided by the UK to Azerbaijan in the fight against mines.

In turn, Tariq Mahmoud Ahmad said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and the UK, an agenda for mutually beneficial strategic cooperation has been formed both at the bilateral and multilateral levels.

He noted the importance of expanding the strategic dialogue between Azerbaijan, stressing the importance of cooperation in the cultural and educational fields.

It was noted that the UK supports efforts to establish peace and security in the region, including the process of normalising relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.