President Aliyev receives new Swedish envoy, highlights scope for closer cooperation PHOTO

President Ilham Aliyev received Sweden’s newly appointed ambassador to Azerbaijan, Louise Morsing, on September 23, with the meeting focusing on prospects for expanding bilateral ties, including investment, trade and business cooperation, as well as regional peace and Azerbaijan-EU relations.

Morsing presented her credentials to President Aliyev before the two held a discussion on the current state and future prospects of Azerbaijan-Sweden relations, Caliber.Az reports via state media.

Aliyev expressed hope that bilateral relations would continue to develop successfully in the coming years and that new areas of cooperation would be identified. In this regard, he highlighted the importance of reciprocal visits and meetings at various levels and noted the strong potential for partnership in investment, trade and business.

The president wished the ambassador success in his diplomatic activities.

Morsing thanked President Aliyev for receiving her and emphasised that she would work actively to further expand bilateral relations. She also conveyed her congratulations on the achievements reached within the peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia, welcoming steps taken to build trust between the two countries.

Noting that a large number of Azerbaijani students are studying in Sweden and that their academic performance is highly regarded, Morsing expressed hope that they would contribute to the development of Azerbaijan-Sweden relations in their future careers.

The ambassador also touched on the positive dynamics in relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union, noting in this context that negotiations on a bilateral agreement had resumed. He further praised Azerbaijan’s humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.

Addressing the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, President Aliyev said that Azerbaijan itself was the initiator and author of the peace agenda, describing the peace achieved between the two countries as an unprecedented case in the world.

Aliyev also noted that Azerbaijan-EU relations are currently very good, recalling visits to Azerbaijan this year by European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas, as well as his meetings with them on the sidelines of international events.

The meeting also featured an exchange of views on the current state and development prospects of Azerbaijan-Sweden relations, as well as discussions on issues of mutual interest.