Azerbaijani president holds high-level talks at World Economic Forum in Davos PHOTO

On January 21, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan held a series of important meetings in Davos, Switzerland, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and regional cooperation.

Meeting with Iraq's president

At the request of the President of Iraq, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, the two leaders discussed the ongoing development of relations between Azerbaijan and Iraq.

Rashid fondly recalled his visit to Azerbaijan for COP29 and congratulated President Aliyev on the successful organization of the event. He also extended his condolences regarding the recent deadly crash of an Azerbaijani passenger plane in Kazakhstan's Aktau, which President Aliyev gratefully acknowledged. 

The two leaders emphasized the importance of bilateral cooperation, particularly in launching direct flights and expanding the activities of their intergovernmental commission. They also touched upon regional stability, highlighting the significance of peace and security in the Middle East.

Meeting with the CEO of the UAE logistics giant DP World

President Aliyev met with Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, to explore prospects for further enhancing the company's operations in Azerbaijan.

The discussion focused on opportunities presented by the North-South and East-West transport corridors, with particular emphasis on Azerbaijan's strategic position as a regional transport hub. 

Notably, DP World, a global leader in port operations, currently manages nearly 80 ports worldwide and is looking to expand its regional presence.

Meeting with the prime minister of Iraq's Kurdistan Region

Additionally, President Aliyev met with Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

This meeting was held at the request of Barzani and centred on strengthening ties between Azerbaijan and the Kurdistan region, as well as exploring further avenues of cooperation.

Meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev also met with Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, at the latter’s request in Davos.

Chancellor Scholz inquired about the progress of investigations related to the plane crash.

President Ilham Aliyev and Chancellor Scholz also reflected on their previous meetings, with both leaders expressing satisfaction with their past engagements.

During the conversation, they exchanged views on the development of bilateral relations, as well as the prospects for enhancing Azerbaijan’s cooperation with the European Union. The sides also discussed other areas of mutual interest.

The Chancellor reaffirmed Germany's support for efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the South Caucasus region.

By Khagan Isayev