Azernews.Az

BAKU – Azerbaijan is interested in strengthening its relations with Mexico, Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has said.

The minister said in an interview with Mexican newspaper The News that Azerbaijan recognizes Mexico's leadership in Latin America and its role in international organizations such as the United Nations and the Organization of American States (OAS).

Besides, Azerbaijan, as "a young country", deems as important its presence in all regions and promoting bilateral relations in all areas, he said.

"So we want to increase our ties with Mexico and to work with it to find new areas of cooperation for mutual benefit. We are also now expanding our relations with other countries in Latin America. We have recently opened an embassy in Cuba and one in Argentina, and we will soon open an embassy in Brazil.

"Our objective is to introduce Azerbaijan as an independent state to all Latin American nations and to learn more about Latin America," Mammadyarov said.

Mammadyarov will pay an official visit to Latin American countries early this year. During the tour, the minister will visit Mexico, a source at the Azerbaijani embassy in the country said.

This year, Azerbaijan and Mexico signed an agreement to facilitate the issuance of diplomatic and official visas and are currently negotiating a similar agreement on tourist visas.

Azerbaijan opened its embassy in Mexico in 2009.

Mexico is planning to open its embassy in Azerbaijan this year, Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa said earlier at a meeting with Minister Mammadyarov.