Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Azerbaijan and Poland discussed prospects for development of bilateral relations in the future.

Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov and Deputy Economy and Industry Minister Niyazi Safarov paid a visit to Poland on February 12-14.

The Azerbaijani officials, whose visit was aimed at participation in the intergovernmental political consultations, met with Poland's Deputy Prime Minister Janusz Piechociński, Economy Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, Deputy Economy Minister Andrzej Dycha, and some other officials.

The two sides discussed regional developments, cooperation in political, economic and humanitarian spheres, as well as prospects for the development of bilateral relations. Preparations for the next meeting of the joint intergovernmental commission in Baku were also discussed.

Addressing the event, Janusz Piechociński said Poland sees broad prospects for economic cooperation with Azerbaijan.

"Dynamic development of Azerbaijan is a good indicator for the development of a favorable trade and investment cooperation between the two countries," he said.

Niyazi Safarov, in turn, said Azerbaijan is planning to diversify its economy and to develop the non-oil sector of the economy.

"Thus, we urge the Polish entrepreneurs to get acquainted with our suggestions in the chemical industry, agriculture and the construction industry," he added.

Polish Embassy and the Economy Ministry organized a round table, which brought together representatives of more than 40 companies from various industries. The meeting held a presentation on Azerbaijan prepared by Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO). The meeting was also attended by Azerbaijan's Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Poland Hasan Hasanov.

Detailed proposals on trade and investment will be discussed in the next meeting of the Polish-Azerbaijani intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation scheduled for April 2014.

Poland reconized the independence of Azerbaijan in December 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in February 1992.

The Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee has said the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Poland amounted to $24.19 million in the first six months of 2013.

Azerbaijan mainly exports agricultural and chemical products to Poland.