Azernews.Az

Azerbaijan is a bridge between the East and West playing an important role on the world stage, Saudi Arabia`s Prince Khalid bin Saud bin Khalid Al-Saud, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, said last week.

``Azerbaijan is a country that is rapidly developing,`` he told Trend news agency. ``We are pleased with this. Baku is playing and will continue to play an important role both in the international arena and in the region, becoming a bridge between the East and West.``

Regarding the relations between Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia, the prince stressed that they are developed and promising. He added that bilateral relations began developing from Azerbaijan`s independence in 1991. Saudi Arabia was one of the first countries to recognize the former Soviet republic`s independence.

``A strong foundation has been laid by friendly relations between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz,`` the prince said. ``These relations positively affect the development of relations between the two countries.``

He said Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan have several standing agreements on trade and political consultations.

An agreement on investment protection and promotion has been recently signed as well. It is expected to increase investments between the two countries and facilitate the conditions for investments, the prince said.

On the recent conduct in Baku of a meeting of Saudi ambassadors to Asian countries, the prince said it is not a coincidence that Riyadh chose Azerbaijan as the venue for the meeting. He said Azerbaijan has become the most important country in the region, where Saudi Arabia`s ambassadors were able to negotiate and discuss some issues in order to work more effectively.

``Selecting Azerbaijan as a venue for the meeting of Saudi ambassadors has proved once again how relations are developing between the two countries and the fact that Riyadh considers Azerbaijan as its main partner in the region,`` he said.

A number of ambassadors from Arab countries to Azerbaijan attended the Baku meeting early last week, along with senior Azerbaijani officials and the country`s clerical leader.