President Aliyev: New page in Azerbaijan-Bosnia and Herzegovina ties begins UPDATED

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has said that a new page starts in relations between Azerbaijan and Herzegovina.

He made the remarks following his meeting with Chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željka Cvijanović in Sarajevo on April 13, Azertac reports.

“Today, a new page of our relations begins. The negotiations conducted within the framework of the official visit open up ample opportunities. In particular, the Declaration on the strategic partnership signed today shows the directions of our future development,” he said.

The president added that the two countries will regularly hold political and diplomatic consultations.

"At the same time, work in the economic field will be carried out in a more focused manner. A decision was made on the Joint Economic Commission. During today's negotiations, we also agreed to set up a working group on specific projects, and steps in this direction will be taken in a short period of time,” the head of state underlined.

He noted that strategic partnership places great responsibility on both countries.

“Strategic partnership is a special relationship. This places a great responsibility on both countries. We are ready for this responsibility,” said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he made a press statement following his meeting with Chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željka Cvijanović in Sarajevo.

“I am sure that Bosnia and Herzegovina and Azerbaijan will continue to work together as strategic partners in the true sense of the word,” the head of state pointed out.

Aliyev outlined Bosnia and Herzegovina support for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity during Armenia's decades-long occupation.

“Today, during a broad exchange of views, we have reached a unified position regarding the future development of Bosnia and Herzegovina-Azerbaijan relations. In other words, these relations will develop on an ascending trend from now on,” the president noted.

He added that “the history of our relations is also excellent. Consultations and contacts, especially at the political level, have raised our relations to a high level. We have supported each other in all issues within international organizations, and this support is felt even today. The position of Bosnia and Herzegovina regarding the territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of Azerbaijan's borders was very important to us, especially during the occupation,” the head of state emphasized.

He said that Bosnia and Herzegovina firmly supported Azerbaijan during the Second Karabakh War.

“Two and a half years ago, when Azerbaijan restored its territorial integrity in the Second Karabakh War, Bosnia and Herzegovina firmly supported Azerbaijan and our rightful cause. This is a position of friendship and brotherhood, for which we are grateful to you,” the president added.

“Azerbaijan, in its turn, has unequivocally supported the interests of Bosnia and Herzegovina in all issues, including territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of borders,” the head of state noted.

The issue of increasing trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina is on the agenda, said Aliyev.

“We have asked that specific investment projects be presented to us. We will look at these projects, analyze them and give our answer in a short time. We are also interested in investing in your country,” the head of state noted.

“There are very extensive opportunities in the field of energy. The length of the Southern Gas Corridor initiated by Azerbaijan is 3,500 kilometers. For a little more than two years, this pipeline has been transporting our natural gas to Europe. This pipeline passes by the borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It would be good if we start cooperating in the field of natural gas. Appropriate instructions have already been given,” the Azerbaijani president underlined.

“At the same time, joint research will be conducted of hydropower and other types of renewable energy. I am sure that it will be possible to take serious steps in this direction. Azerbaijan has invested billions of dollars in foreign countries, and, of course, we are very interested in cooperating with Bosnia and Herzegovina in this field,” the head of state noted.

“During the conversation today, we also exchanged ideas on the deepening of intercultural dialogue and shared our experience. I believe that joint activity can be of great importance in this direction as well,” Aliyev stressed.

“Both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Azerbaijan are multi-confessional countries. Many ethnic groups live in our countries, and the co-existence of these ethnic groups in the conditions of peace, calm, friendship and brotherhood is the main precondition for stability. Here, too, there are great opportunities for an exchange of ideas, an exchange of experience, joint activities, including cooperation in the field of science and education and within non-governmental organizations,” the head of state noted.

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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željka Cvijanović have made press statements in Sarajevo, Azertac reports.

The news will be updated.