On April 2, 2022, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov met with his Italian counterpart during the official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic Luigi Di Maio to Azerbaijan.

The two Ministers first had a tete-a-tete meeting.

Then the first meeting of the strategic dialogue between the two countries was held with the participation of Foreign Ministers.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that the meeting was very significant and coincided with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Italy. The Minister congratulated the opposite side on this occasion.

Minister Luigi Di Maio noted with satisfaction the meeting with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan during his visit. He recalled that the current meeting of the strategic dialogue is based on the "Joint Declaration on Strengthening the Multidimensional Strategic Partnership" signed during the state visit of the President of Azerbaijan to Italy in February 2020. He noted that this year's celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries is a significant event.

The meeting focused on Azerbaijan-Italy bilateral strategic partnership, issues of mutual interest on the regional and international agenda.

The Ministers expressed satisfaction with the high-level political dialogue between the two countries, mutual visits, extensive economic cooperation, intensive exchanges in energy, transport, culture, humanitarian and other fields.

It was stressed that Azerbaijan and Italy have mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas, Italy is Azerbaijan's largest trading partner, Azerbaijan is Italy's largest supplier of crude oil and the largest export point in the South Caucasus. It was noted that Italian companies successfully operate in the Azerbaijani economy, both in the oil and non-oil sectors, and there are ample opportunities for further deepening economic cooperation.

It was highlighted that the activities of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Italian Republic are developing successfully. It was emphasized that the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission will be useful for further expansion of economic ties and diversification of economic cooperation.

The expansion of humanitarian cooperation between the two countries was noted, and the groundbreaking ceremony of the Italian-Azerbaijani University to be held during the current visit in accordance with the agreement reached by the leaders of the two countries was emphasized with satisfaction.

The sides noted the importance of inter-parliamentary relations, including the role of friendship groups in the development of relations between the two countries, and emphasized the importance of further strengthening future cooperation in this area. In this regard, Azerbaijan highly appreciated the just position, based on international law, demonstrated by the Italian government and parliament, including senators and deputies during the Patriotic War and the post-conflict period.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov briefed the opposite side on the current situation in the region, including the steps taken by Azerbaijan to implement the trilateral statements, Azerbaijan's position on the normalization of relations between the two countries, the restoration and reconstruction work in the liberated areas. It was brought to the attention of the opposite side that the violation by Armenia of the provisions of the trilateral statement is an obstacle to peacebuilding in the region.

At the meeting, the sides exchanged views on humanitarian demining activities in Azerbaijan. The Italian side expressed interest in expanding its participation in the demining process.

The sides also discussed cooperation in a multilateral format, within international organizations, including relations with the European Union, as well as the situation in Ukraine.

At the end of the meeting, the Ministers signed a "Protocol of the first meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Italian Republic."