Egyptian president congratulates Azerbaijan on joining D-8, hailing new chapter in bilateral relations

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has extended his congratulations to Azerbaijan for officially joining the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, known as the Muslim Eights.

Speaking at the organization's summit in Cairo, President el-Sisi emphasized the significance of Azerbaijan’s membership, Caliber.Az reports.

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Azerbaijan on joining the D-8 organization. This step will undoubtedly enrich today’s discussions and open a new page in relations between our countries," he remarked.

The decision to admit Azerbaijan into the D-8 was unanimously approved during the summit.

The D-8, established in 1997, aims to foster economic cooperation among its eight member countries—Türkiye, Iran, Nigeria, Egypt, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Bangladesh.

On December 19, 2024, Azerbaijan was officially elected as a member of the Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) during the Cairo Summit. This marks the first expansion of the organization since its founding in 1997. Azerbaijan first attended the D-8 Summit in 2017 in Istanbul as a special guest, with President Aliyev representing Azerbaijan. Seven years later, Azerbaijan was represented in Cairo by Prime Minister Asadov.

The D-8 holds substantial economic influence and represents a key part of the Muslim world. Azerbaijan’s inclusion brings new opportunities for deepened cooperation in areas such as trade, transportation, and communication, enhancing the organization’s scope.

According to Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry, the country’s role in the D-8 will focus on promoting justice, upholding international law, and fostering stability and prosperity in the region. Azerbaijan’s membership is also expected to strengthen Islamic solidarity, promote Islamic values globally, and combat Islamophobia.

Azerbaijan’s strategic position and its historical and cultural significance in the Islamic world are expected to enrich the D-8’s efforts to drive economic cooperation among its members. Established in 1997, the D-8 aims to enhance cooperation between its member states, with its Secretariat based in Istanbul.

By Vafa Guliyeva