Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski has arrived in Baku to hold talks with Azerbaijan's top officials on bilateral relations.

During a one-on-one meeting, President Ilham Aliyev and Oresharski praised bilateral and multilateral relations between the two countries.

President Aliyev received a Bulgarian delegation led by visiting Oresharski on February 20.

The Azerbaijani president and the Bulgarian PM stressed the importance of expanding Azerbaijan-Bulgaria strategic cooperation, particularly in energy sector.

The meeting was then joined by the Bulgarian delegation.

President Aliyev praised political relations between the two countries and said there was good potential for expanding the bilateral economic cooperation. The Head of State pointed to important documents on energy cooperation that were signed during the Bulgarian Premier`s previous visit to Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijani president also praised the fact that as close partners, Azerbaijan and Bulgaria embarked on a large-scaled regional infrastructure project. He emphasized the significance of the project in terms of expanding the Azerbaijan-Bulgaria relations. He added that the project opened up good opportunities for the two countries to broaden their cooperation on fronts such as energy, business, tourism, and agriculture.

The Head of State also invited Bulgarian companies to get involved in the projects implemented in Azerbaijan, adding his country is interested in construction projects in Bulgaria as a partner and investor.

The president expressed confidence that the Bulgarian PM's visit would mark fruitful discussions on how to enhance the bilateral cooperation in a variety of areas.

For his part, Oresharski said he once again witnessed the friendly attitude of the Azerbaijani people to the Bulgarian people during his visit. He praised the bilateral political relations, saying the two countries were successfully cooperating in energy sector.

He hailed Azerbaijan's development, noting there were ample opportunities in the country for cooperation in a number of fields, particularly transportation, chemistry, education and culture.

Oresharski was also received by First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva.

They exchanged views on development of cultural relations between the two countries, holding of Days of Culture in Baku and Sofia, and organizing art exhibitions in the Bulgarian capital.

They also discussed the establishment of friendship parks in Sofia, organizing concerts of Bulgarian musicians at the Heydar Aliyev Centre, and participation of Bulgaria in the classic music festivals organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Oresharski said activities of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation have grabbed the international attentions.

He hailed the work of the Organizing Committee of the European Olympic Games chaired by Mehriban Aliyeva.

As part of his trip to Azerbaijan, the Bulgarian PM visited the Alley of Honors to lay a wreath at the tomb of National Leader Heydar Aliyev.

He also put flowers at the grave of prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva.

Oresharski also visited the Alley of Martyrs to commemorate Azerbaijani heroes who gave their lives for the country's independence and territorial integrity.

He laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument.

Later, the Bulgarian PM visited the National Flag Square in Azerbaijan's capital Baku and got familiar with Icherisheher.

He viewed the Maiden Tower, stone exhibits at Syrataghly Religious and Architectural Complex discovered in 1964 during archaeological excavations in the north of Maiden Tower.

He was informed about the history of Icherisheher, which was classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Oresharski also visited the Palace of Shirvanshahs built in early 15th century and considered one of the landmark architectural monuments of Azerbaijan.

The diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan were established in the June 1992. There are very close relations between the two countries. These relations have been established in the last ten years. Political, economic, scientific, technological and cultural relations are developing rapidly. The presidents of both countries have repeatedly declared their interest in the expansion of these relations.