02 September 2024 18:15

On 2 September 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Marko Đurić, who is on an official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The tête-à-tête meeting between the sides was followed by an expanded meeting with the participation of delegations from both sides.

During the meeting, the sides discussed various aspects of the strategic partnership relations between Azerbaijan and Serbia, including political, economic, trade, investment, energy, transport and communications, humanitarian fields, as well as regional and international security issues.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that high-level and top-level mutual visits, political dialogue, and the dynamic development of interparliamentary relations play an important role in advancing the existing strategic partnership between two countries. The importance of the establishment of the Azerbaijan–Serbia Strategic Partnership Council, initiated within the framework of high-level contacts, was emphasized. It was also noted that the use of the political consultations mechanism is essential for discussing opportunities to further deepen the strategic partnership.

It was noted with satisfaction that the exemplary dynamics of bilateral relations between two countries are reflected in mutual support and solidarity within regional and international organizations.

In particular, the active work of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation aimed at deepening sectoral cooperation, especially in the fields of energy and investment, was commended.

The development of ties in humanitarian fields, including education, science, and culture, as well as the implementation of a visa-free regime between two countries, were noted as contributing to closer relations between our peoples. The importance of continuing the sister-city relationship between Shusha and Novi Pazar was highlighted.

It was noted that Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) creates new opportunities for cooperation.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov also informed his counterpart in detail about the current situation and realities in the region in the post-conflict period, the large-scale reconstruction and restoration works carried out in the liberated territories, as well as the mine threat hindering these activities. Serbian companies and investors were invited to actively participate in reconstruction and restoration efforts in the Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur regions.

Addressing the normalization and peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that there are developments in advancing the peace agenda, including progress in the delimitation process. However, he stressed that the continued territorial claims against Azerbaijan in a number of legislative acts of Armenia, including its Constitution, as well as Armenia’s rapid militarization, hinder the peace process.

Minister Marko Đurić congratulated Azerbaijan on the transparent, free, and democratic conduct of the parliamentary elections held the previous day and expressed hope that the results of the electoral process would be successful for the Azerbaijani parliament.

The sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

Following the meeting, a signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding between ADA University and the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia took place.

Subsequently, the ministers delivered statements at a joint press conference and answered questions from media representatives.