Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

Azerbaijan and Colombia are keen on developing cooperation in many areas, including economy, agriculture, trade and tourism.

The topic was discussed in Baku, as President Ilham Aliyev received Foreign Minister of Colombia María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar, who was on a visit to the country.

They hailed good opportunities for developing Azerbaijan-Colombia cooperation in a number of fields and underlined both countries' interest in expanding these ties.

Cuéllar praised the opening of the Colombian Embassy in Azerbaijan, adding that they operate together with Peru and Mexico, member countries of the Pacific Alliance.

Hailing Azerbaijan`s huge opportunities, the Colombian minister underlined her country's readiness to work with Azerbaijan to boost the bilateral cooperation.

Cuéllar briefed the head of state on ongoing processes in her country, saying construction work started in Colombia after a peace agreement was reached as a result of a long-lasting conflict in the country. She added that a number of agricultural development projects were implemented in Colombia.

In turn, President Aliyev emphasized that the development of regions and agriculture is one of the key priority issues in Azerbaijan too, highlighting the reforms carried out in the country in this regard.

On the next day, Cuéllar met with her Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov. The ministers expressed satisfaction with the positive developments in the political dialogue.

They noted the importance of reciprocal visits to foster the ties and cooperation between Colombia and Azerbaijan. Cuéllar and Mammadyarov emphasized that exchange of permanent diplomatic presence in both countries has provided additional impetus to furthering bilateral cooperation.

The ministers reiterated their mutual respect and support to each other’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of internationally recognized borders. They also emphasized the inadmissibility of the use of force for the acquisition of territory.

The ministers emphasized the wide range of opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation in the economic, trade, education, tourism, agriculture, energy, logistics, investment and humanitarian sectors. In education, the exchange of students and scholars was particularly highlighted.

The Colombian FM’s visit to the regions of Azerbaijan – Hajigabul, Kurdamir, Goychay, and Zagatala had the purpose of strengthening bilateral cooperation to produce hazelnut and pomegranates, considering its future contribution as a productive project, important for Colombia’s peace building.

The ministers expressed assurance that agreement on cooperation signed during the visit of Mammadyarov to Colombia (at the begging of June) will boost cooperation in the field of culture and tourism.

They mentioned the special role of parliamentary diplomacy in expanding bilateral cooperation. They also highlighted the activities of Azerbaijan-Colombia Parliamentary Friendship.

Mammadyarov further expressed his appreciation for the documents adopted by the Senate of Colombia, namely the resolution on “Illegal occupation of the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan” and document on the 25th anniversary of Khojaly Genocide.

Colombia is the second country in Latin America [the first country is Mexico], the Senate of which adopted a resolution condemning the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia and assessing the events in Khojaly in 1992 as an act of genocide.

--

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

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz