Azernews.Az

BAKU – Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has said Azerbaijan is attaching special importance to developing its relations and multi-faceted cooperation with Arab countries.

Mammadyarov said in an interview with Lebanon’s Al Havadis magazine that Azerbaijani embassies are operating in most Arab countries, and Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Iraq, and Palestine are running their diplomatic missions in Azerbaijan as well.

The minister said that Azerbaijan continues making an effort to strengthen its relations with the League of Arab States and the Gulf Cooperation Council. He noted that as a member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the country actively participates in all functions of the organization.

Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan senses consistent support of Arab Islamic nations on the country’s most pressing problem - its long-standing conflict with Armenia over Nagorno Karabakh. He said these countries have condemned the Armenian occupation of a part of Azerbaijan’s territory, and backed Baku’s fair stance during votes on the issue in international organizations, particularly the United Nations and the OIC.

Mammadyarov further said that Azerbaijan’s economic relations with Arab states lag behind political ties, noting that his country intended to boost cooperation in this area.

"We believe that there are vast opportunities and suitable conditions for investing in Azerbaijan’s oil and non-oil sectors. It is necessary to develop economic and trade cooperation between Azerbaijan and Arab countries, expand the involvement of Arab businessmen and investors in the republic’s socio-economic development projects and hold joint business forums."

Mammadyarov also said there was a great need for expanding cultural relations. He termed as priorities organizing the Days of Azerbaijani Culture in Arab countries and promoting public awareness about the abundant Arab culture in Azerbaijan.