live Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa on official visit to Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijan State News Agency

On July 12, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a high-level meeting with the Transitional President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, during the latter's working visit to Baku, signaling a potential new chapter in bilateral relations.

According to AZERTAC, President Ilham Aliyev welcomed the Transitional President of Syria. The two presidents then posed for an official photograph.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed hope that President Ahmad Al-Sharaa's visit to Azerbaijan would significantly contribute to the development of bilateral relations. He noted that during the previous Syrian government, which pursued an unfriendly policy toward Azerbaijan, relations between the two countries were stagnant. However, the formation of a new government in Syria has opened up promising opportunities for cooperation.

President Aliyev recalled the visit of an Azerbaijani delegation, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Deputy Prime Minister, to Syria, and emphasized that during that visit, projects related to cooperation in various fields were discussed.

Transitional President Ahmad Al-Sharaa recalled with satisfaction his meeting with President Aliyev during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. He expressed gratitude to President Aliyev for Azerbaijan's brotherly support to Syria.

Al-Shaar regretted that the former Syrian leadership had damaged relations with many countries, including Azerbaijan. He stated that Syria is interested in cooperation with Azerbaijan in political, economic, trade, cultural, humanitarian, and other fields.

Congratulating Azerbaijan on its achievements and the liberation of its territories, Al-Shaar noted that Azerbaijan faced great difficulties in the 1990s, but overcame them and is now developing.

The meeting emphasized the importance of energy cooperation between the two countries and noted that Syria is currently facing serious energy problems. It was stressed that a project to export Azerbaijani gas to Syria through Turkey would be implemented soon and would contribute to Syria’s energy security. It was highlighted that Azerbaijan is capable of contributing to the restoration of Syria’s energy sector.

Al-Shaar underlined the significance of Azerbaijan’s support in addressing Syria’s serious energy challenges and said it would contribute to Syria’s development.

The discussion also touched on humanitarian, educational, and cultural cooperation between Azerbaijan and Syria. The sides exchanged views on providing scholarships to Syrian students in Azerbaijan and the restoration of cultural monuments.

Taking into account Azerbaijan’s experience in reconstruction and development in the liberated territories, it was emphasized that Azerbaijan could contribute to Syria’s post-conflict recovery and rebuilding process.

The two leaders also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

Later, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a one-on-one meeting with the Transitional President of the Syrian Arab Republic Ahmad Al-Sharaa.

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