Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

Strategic cooperation and mutual friendship lie at the heart of Azerbaijani-Serbian ties.

Azerbaijan Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev made the statement as he met with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, during his visit to Serbia.

"Azerbaijan and Serbia successfully cooperate within the international organizations. Both countries support each other's position in territorial integrity and sovereignty issues,” said the minister.

Mustafayev said there were wide opportunities between the two countries for development of cooperation in the fields of economy, energy, investment, trade, transport, agriculture. The minister touched upon the activity of the Serbian companies operating in Azerbaijan.

He said reciprocal visits between the heads of the states, productive negotiations held within these visits played a significant role in development of ties.

Vucic, for his part, said his country was interested in boosting relations with Azerbaijan and shared his remarks about developing prospects of cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, they exchanged views on developing prospects of Azerbaijani-Serbian relations. The parties stressed the role of the Intergovernmental Commission in developing Azerbaijani-Serbian ties.

First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Zorana Mihajlovic also attended the meeting.

As part of the visit Mustafayev also participated in the inauguration of Ljig- Boljkovci, Boljkovci- Takovo and Takovo- Preljina sections of Serbia’s main highway, the construction of which was funded under a loan agreement signed between the governments of Azerbaijan and Serbia. The Azerbaijani company Azvirt Ltd. is the main contractor of the project.

The section of Ljig-Preljina Highway, the “11th Corridor” constructed by the Azerbaijani company AzVirt was opened.

More than 5,000 people attended at the opening ceremony. Speaking at the event, the head of municipality, as well as other officials congratulated the audience on the long-awaited event.

For this end, they thanked the government of the country and the contractor of the project – the Azerbaijani company "AzVirt".

Mustafayev, in his part, congratulated the audience on the opening of the highway, reminded that the project is performed on the basis of the credit agreement signed in 2012 between the governments of Azerbaijan and Serbia.

“This project is one of the finest examples of our cooperation, the minister said, underlining that this interaction would develop in the same format in the years to come and would promote implementation of new projects.

Mustafayev expressed his confidence that this road will promote development of economy of Serbia, in particular its transport infrastructure. He also noted that the Azerbaijani companies can participate in the course of privatization in Serbia.

Speaking at the ceremony Mihajlovic thanked the Azerbaijani company AzVirt, noting that within three years tremendous work was done, the road more than 40 kilometers long, 4 tunnels and 66 bridges were constructed.

Attending the opening ceremony, Prime Minister of Serbia praised the state of the Serbian-Azerbaijani relations, thanked all staff of the AzVirt company for realizing the dream of the residents of the region. “The road is a contribution to the future of our country. Everything that we do today, will be left for our children,” he stated.

Vucic and Mustafayev opened the panel representing friendship between Azerbaijan and Serbia.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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