President Aliyev holds key bilateral meetings on sidelines of UN General Assembly PHOTO

On September 23, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a series of high-level meetings at the United Nations headquarters in New York, engaging with international leaders on issues of peace, cooperation, and regional development, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

During his meeting with Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, President Aliyev was congratulated on the historic progress achieved between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The two discussed the outcomes of the Washington meeting, which included the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group, the initialling of a peace agreement, and the signing of the Washington Declaration in the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump. Both sides underlined the significance of these developments for lasting peace in the South Caucasus. Berset reiterated the Council of Europe’s support for the peace agenda and recalled his visit to Azerbaijan during COP29.

In a separate meeting with Alexander Stubb, President of the Republic of Finland, President Aliyev once again received congratulations on the normalisation of Azerbaijan–Armenia relations and the Washington achievements. President Stubb noted Finland’s consistent support for peace in the region. President Aliyev highlighted that it was during Finland’s Chairpersonship of the OSCE that the decision to dissolve the Minsk Group was taken, stressing that Azerbaijan and Armenia have now entered a period of peace. The leaders also discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation, collaboration within international organisations, and Azerbaijan–EU relations.

President Aliyev also met with William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya. The two leaders hailed the development of bilateral ties, noting that the opening of Azerbaijan’s embassy in Nairobi has provided fresh impetus to relations. They emphasised the importance of reciprocal visits at various levels and highlighted opportunities for cooperation in energy, agriculture, industry, and other sectors. The presidents also exchanged views on deepening collaboration within international organisations.

By Vugar Khalilov