(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 13. Minister of
Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov has
met with Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy of the Italian
Republic Adolfo Urso, who is paying a visit to the country, the
Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told trend .
Minister Bayramov praised the development of bilateral relations
between the countries, which have risen to the level of a
multidimensional strategic partnership, as well as noted the
importance of high-level mutual visits, including the visit of
Italian President Sergio Mattarella to Azerbaijan in 2018,
President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Italy in 2020 and 2022, as well
as other visits that have played a crucial role in further
strengthening this strategic partnership.
Speaking of strong Azerbaijan-Italy political ties, Bayramov
stressed that the oil, gas, power industry projects play a
paramount role in the development of these ties. Noting that the
foundation laid today for a new 1,280 MW thermal power plant in
Mingachevir is an important event, the minister outlined the
significance of the project in terms of further enhancing
friendship ties between Italy and Azerbaijan.
The sides underscored effective economic collaboration between
Azerbaijan and Italy, in particular that Italy is Azerbaijan's
largest trading partner, and Azerbaijan is one of the largest
energy suppliers to Italy. They also emphasized the importance of
the Southern Gas Corridor and the TAP Gas Pipeline in expanding
energy cooperation.
Touching on the issues of cooperation between the two countries
in the field of education, Minister Bayramov talked about the
necessity of the Italy-Azerbaijan University, founded in 2022, as
part of the visit of former Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio
to the country. In particular, he said that the process of building
of the university continues apace.
The official also thanked Italy for supporting the territorial
integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, briefed on the
reconstruction work carried out on liberated lands, and the process
of normalizing relations with Armenia. He updated Urso on the
30-year occupation policy of Armenia against Azerbaijan, and on the
obstacles that it poses to the peace process in the post-Karabakh
conflict period.
Stressing Italy's involvement in the recovery work on liberated
lands, the minister expressed satisfaction that the most important
projects for our country were entrusted to Italian companies.
Minister Urso, in turn, reminded with satisfaction his visits to
Azerbaijan, especially following the second Karabakh War, as part
of the Italian parliamentary delegation. Noting the importance of
strategic dialogue and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy, he
stressed that there are broad prospects for cooperation between the
two countries.
The parties exchanged views on renewable energy issues,
agricultural machinery, the pharmaceutical industry, culture, and
other areas of mutual interest.
