President Aliyev hosts British State Minister Doughty, mull Azerbaijan-UK energy ties PHOTO

On August 25, President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, received Stephen Doughty, Minister of State for Europe, North America, and the Overseas Territories of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

During the meeting, Doughty conveyed his congratulations to President Aliyev on the historic progress in Washington regarding the normalisation of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the advancement of the peace agenda. He emphasised the UK’s readiness to support this process and highlighted the significance of recent developments in regional transport connectivity, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

Doughty also extended his congratulations on the successful high-level hosting of COP29 in Azerbaijan last year.

President Aliyev thanked him for the congratulations and reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to continuing efforts to advance the peace agenda and the normalisation process with Armenia.

The president recalled the visit of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, to Azerbaijan during COP29 and his meeting with him.

During the conversation, the parties discussed prospects for the development of Azerbaijan–United Kingdom relations and expressed satisfaction with the current state of political ties. 

They noted wide-ranging opportunities for cooperation in economic, trade, ICT, education, and other sectors.

Energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UK was also highlighted, particularly the more than 30 years of productive partnership with bp in both traditional and renewable energy. Both sides expressed optimism that this mutually beneficial cooperation will continue in the decades ahead.

The meeting concluded with Doughty presenting President Aliyev with a commemorative gift.

By Khagan Isayev