04 May 2023 15:40

On 3 May, the working visit of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Khalaf Khalafov to the Republic of Slovenia began.

Within the framework of the visit, first, the next round of political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Slovenia was held. During the consultations, the Slovenian side was represented by the delegation led by Samuel Žbogar, State Secretary for Political and Multilateral Affairs, Economic Diplomacy and Development Cooperation.

The sides noted that the current political consultations are of exceptional importance in terms of intensifying contacts between Azerbaijan and Slovenia, and discussed steps that can be taken towards developing bilateral cooperation relations in various fields and diversifying these relations.

The importance of mobilizing joint efforts for the further expansion of the existing friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries was emphasized.

During the consultations, the current state of bilateral relations and prospects for future cooperation, the development of cooperation in the trade-economic, humanitarian, energy and investment fields, and issues of organizing mutual visits were discussed. The importance of conducting political dialogue on a continuous basis was emphasized. At the same time, the sides touched upon the importance of strengthening mutual activity between the two countries within the framework of international and regional organizations. The issue of expanding the legal-treaty framework was considered.

Khalaf Khalafov informed his counterpart about the post-conflict stage and the current situation in the region, the mine threat in the liberated territories and the consequences it causes, the restoration and construction works carried out, and plans for the future development of the territories.

The existing successful cooperation relations between the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) and the Slovenian organization “ITF Enhancing Human Security,” as well as prospects for further expanding these relations, were touched upon.

During the meeting, a broad exchange of views was also conducted on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Within the framework of the visit, Deputy Minister Kh. Khalafov also held bilateral meetings with Miriam Možgan, Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of the Republic of Slovenia, and Nataša Dolenc, National Security Advisor, Vojko Volk, State Secretary for International Affairs at the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, and Danijel Krivec, Vice-President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia.

During the meetings held, the importance of strengthening traditional friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Slovenia was emphasized, and an exchange of views was conducted on the regional situation, cooperation within the framework of international organizations and other issues of mutual interest.

The Slovenian side was provided with detailed information about Azerbaijan’s efforts and steps towards the implementation of the peace agenda in the South Caucasus region. The restoration and construction works carried out in our liberated territories, the projects implemented towards the return of the population to their native lands, and the steps taken regarding the reintegration of the Armenian population of Garabagh into Azerbaijan’s legal, economic and social environment were conveyed to the other side.