President Ilham Aliyev receives credentials of new Palestinian ambassador PHOTO

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the credentials of Ahmed Metani, the newly appointed Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Azerbaijan, on June 15.

Following the official presentation of credentials, President Aliyev held a meeting with Ambassador Metani, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

During the conversation, the head of state emphasised the deep-rooted ties of friendship and brotherhood between Azerbaijan and Palestine, expressing confidence that the ambassador would witness this spirit of solidarity during his tenure.

President Aliyev underlined the importance of people-to-people connections in shaping interstate relations and reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to further enhancing bilateral cooperation through joint efforts and high-level reciprocal visits.

Highlighting the strong political relations between the two nations, President Aliyev stressed the significance of mutual support and solidarity, particularly in international forums.

He reiterated Azerbaijan’s consistent support for the just demands of the Palestinian people and a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the two-state solution and relevant United Nations resolutions.

The president also recalled Azerbaijan’s principled stance in favour of Palestine during UN General Assembly votes and noted the humanitarian assistance extended by Azerbaijan, affirming that such support would continue.

President Aliyev expressed satisfaction with the longstanding activity of the Palestinian Embassy in Azerbaijan and assured continued support for its operations.

Underscoring Azerbaijan’s dedication to Islamic solidarity, the President noted that the country’s efforts in this area have been recognized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). He added that Azerbaijan’s selection as the host of the next OIC Summit is a testament to the Muslim world’s appreciation. President Aliyev expressed hope for Palestine’s high-level participation in the summit.

Ambassador Metani conveyed the greetings of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, to which President Aliyev responded with gratitude, requesting that his own greetings be extended in return.

The Azerbaijani leader fondly recalled President Abbas’s official visit to Azerbaijan and their meetings at various international events.

Ambassador Metani expressed his honour at being received on June 15 — National Salvation Day — and commended the historical significance of National Leader Heydar Aliyev’s return to power in 1993, which he said enabled Azerbaijan to overcome a critical period. He conveyed Palestine’s enduring wishes for peace, progress, and continued achievements for Azerbaijan, noting the country’s growing regional and global prominence under President Ilham Aliyev’s leadership.

The meeting also included an exchange of views on prospects for expanding cooperation across political, economic, humanitarian, and other spheres. Both sides praised the close collaboration and mutual support within international organisations.

By Khagan Isayev