Political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria and Azerbaijan
27 April 2022 News
On 27 April 2022, political consultations were held between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Azerbaijan in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan. On the Bulgarian side the consultations were led by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Vasil Georgiev, and on the Azerbaijani side – by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Mr Khalaf Khalafov.
In the framework of the political consultations, as a sign of the excellent bilateral relations, Deputy Minister Georgiev was received and held meetings with the Adviser to the President of Azerbaijan on Foreign Policy Affairs Mr Hikmet Hajiyev and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Mr Jeyhun Bayramov.
The focus of the visit was put on cooperation in the energy sector and the two countries’ support for the further expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor as a real alternative for diversification of natural gas supplies to Bulgaria and Europe. In this context, as well as in the context of the recent developments in our country’s trade relations with Russia’s Gazprom, Deputy Minister Georgiev discussed with the Azerbaijani side Azerbaijan’s potential to increase the volumes of natural gas supplies to Bulgaria, both in the short and long term.
The two sides exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest, regional and international security, the situation in the context of Russian military aggression in Ukraine and its regional and global impact. The Bulgarian side expressed deep concern about the situation in Ukraine and shared the European position on the importance of strictly adhering to the international sanctions imposed on Russia and minimising the opportunities for their circumvention, with a view to turning them into an effective instrument for ending the Russian military aggression. The Azerbaijani side expressed gratitude for the support in the process of evacuation of ethnic Azerbaijanis from Ukraine through the territory of Bulgaria.
During the consultations, it was also noted that June 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan, which are developing in all areas, including political, cultural and humanitarian. The current state of bilateral political relations as well as trade and economic relations, energy, transport and logistics, tourism, culture, education and multilateral cooperation were reviewed. Emphasis was placed on the prospects and interest in cooperation in the field of transport and digital connectivity and transit of goods. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the dynamics in the development of the bilateral relations and the active political dialogue at high and the highest level, expressing the common will to further expand and deepen them. The readiness of the Azerbaijani foreign minister for a visit to Bulgaria in the near future was confirmed, as well as to work towards a presidential visit by the end of the year.
The Bulgarian side also raised the issue of admitting, on a reciprocal basis, Bulgarian citizens to Azerbaijan in the context of the current restrictions in the country related to Covid-19.
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