No:466/23, Press release on the meeting of Minister Jeyhun Bayramov with Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia Gordan Grlić Radman
06 September 2023 14:52
On 6 September, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov met with Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman within the framework of his official visit to the Republic of Croatia.
A tête-à-tête meeting was held between Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Minister Gordan Grlić Radman, and later an expanded meeting was held with the participation of the delegations of both sides.
At the meeting, satisfaction was expressed with the development of Azerbaijan-Croatia relations, which have today risen to the level of strategic partnership, and the important role of high-level mutual visits, bilateral meetings, continuous political dialogue, including the political consultations mechanism, and close contacts within international organizations in further deepening the strategic partnership was emphasized.
The sides conducted an exchange of views on a number of issues on the bilateral and international cooperation agenda between Azerbaijan and Croatia, as well as on the importance of further developing relations in the economic, energy, agriculture, humanitarian, tourism, demining and other fields, and ensuring the diversification of areas of cooperation. It was emphasized that, at a time when the importance of the Middle Corridor — the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route — is increasing, there are numerous favorable opportunities for Croatian transit operators and logistics companies to benefit from the advantages of the Middle Corridor.
Within the framework of the meeting, the Ministers also conducted a broad exchange of views on regional issues. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov informed the other side about the situation and realities in the region in the post-conflict period, including the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process and the mine threat. It was stated that, despite the initiatives of our country, Armenia does not demonstrate the necessary political will to take real steps towards the normalization of relations, continues its contradictory approach, continuously evades the implementation of the agreements reached and the obligations undertaken, resorts to political and military provocations, and still has not fully withdrawn its armed forces from our territories, thereby grossly violating its obligations and creating a threat to security in the region.
It was emphasized that the allegations circulated around the Lachin-Khankendi road have no basis. It was emphasized that the rejection of Azerbaijan’s proposals regarding the transportation of cargo to the territory and the parallel use of roads proves that the allegations regarding the “humanitarian situation” are political manipulation.
Following the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs between ADA University and the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia.
Thereafter, the sides made press statements on the outcomes of the meeting.
