King, Azeri president hold talks in Baku on expanding cooperation

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah and Azeri President Ilham Aliyev agreed at Zagulba Palace in Baku on Tuesday to expand cooperation, especially in economy, investment, tourism, agriculture and defence industries, as well as capitalise on the agreements signed between the two countries.

During bilateral talks, which were followed by expanded talks attended by senior officials from both countries, discussions covered the strong ties between Jordan and Azerbaijan and the importance of maintaining coordination and consultation on issues of mutual concern, according to a Royal Court statement.

Speaking at the meeting, King Abdullah stressed Azerbaijan’s role, under the leadership of President Aliyev, in the regional and international arenas, congratulating the president on the success of the Non-Aligned Movement summit hosted recently in Baku.

His Majesty also reaffirmed the strength of Jordanian-Azeri relations in various fields, noting opportunities to enhance economic cooperation and keenness to bolster consultations on countering regional challenges.

For his part, President Aliyev thanked the King for accepting the invitation to visit Azerbaijan extended during a recent meeting in Sochi, emphasising the visit as an opportunity to step up bilateral relations and coordination on various international issues.

The Azeri president highlighted the strength of political ties between the two countries and underscored keenness to further capitalise on economic opportunities, especially in tourism.

The expanded talks covered the latest regional developments, foremost of which is the Palestinian cause, with His Majesty stressing the need to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Turning to the Syrian crisis, the King called for a political solution that safeguards Syria’s territorial integrity and the unity of its people, while guaranteeing the safe and voluntary return of refugees.

Regional and international efforts to counter terrorism within a holistic approach were also discussed.

President Aliyev reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s keenness to bolster cooperation with Jordan in all fields, expressing appreciation for Jordan’s pivotal role, under His Majesty’s leadership, in the pursuit of peace and stability in the Middle East.

The Azeri president hosted a lunch in honour of the King and the accompanying delegation, attended by a number of senior Azeri officials.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Adviser to His Majesty for Communication and Coordination Bisher Al Khasawneh, and Jordan’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Sami Ghosheh attended the talks on the Jordanian side.

On the Azeri side, Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, Assistant to the President and Head of the Department of Foreign Policy Affairs of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev, and Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Jordan Rasim Rzayev attended the meeting.

Earlier, His Majesty had been accorded an official welcoming ceremony at Zagulba Palace.

Also on Tuesday, the King and President Aliyev visited Research Production Enterprise “IGLIM”, affiliated with the Ministry of Defence Industry of Azerbaijan, which manufactures military equipment.

His Majesty returned to Jordan on Tuesday after the working visit to Azerbaijan.