Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Azerbaijan and Serbia have signed an agreement to enhance cultural cooperation.

New offices for the Azerbaijani Culture Center in Belgrade and the Serbian-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce have been opened with the support of the Azerbaijani embassy in Serbia.

The event brought together Serbian state officials, MPs, as well as representatives of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Cultural Center of Belgrade, public figures and journalists.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Serbia Eldar Hasanov hailed opening of the new offices, saying they will enhance cooperation between the two nations.

Hasanov said Azerbaijan and Serbia must be proud of their cultural heritage as they have such world renowned writers as Nizami Ganjavi, Ivo Andric, Muhammad Fuzuli and Milorad Pavic. He also congratulated the participants on the occasion of the 31st of December - Solidarity Day of the World Azerbaijanis and the New Year Holiday.

Mia David, Head of Belgrade Cultural Centre, expressed her deep gratitude to the Azerbaijani government for the humanitarian projects carried out in Serbia, as well as reconstruction and renovation of the Serbian people's popular leisure place - Tashmaydan Park, as well as renovation of the Bajrakli Mosque and Orthodox Christian church in Novi Sad.

Head of the Azerbaijani Culture Center, Prof. Zarifa Alizade informed the guests on cultural and humanitarian events being implemented by the institution.

President of the Serbian-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce Miroslav Crnogorac, in turn, said that both countries are successfully developing relations in trade. He added that joint commission and business forums play an important role in increasing trade turnover between Serbia and Azerbaijan.

The event was continued with performance of Azerbaijan's composer Uzeyir Hajibeyov's Seven Beauties ballet fragment in Serbian language.

The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in August, 1997. Azerbaijan-Serbia interparliamentary group was created in 2011. The trade turnover between Serbia and Azerbaijan amounted to over $22.3 million. Two countries are interested in co-operation in energy and education areas.

Serbia was among the countries that had voted in favor of Azerbaijan in United Nations General Assembly Resolution 62/243 about the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, occupied by Armenia.