Azerbaijan, Seychelles mull expansion of bilateral ties
By Sara Rajabova
The former president of the exotic Seychelles islands in the Southeast Africa in Indian Ocean, visited Azerbaijan in mid-March to discuss expansion of bilateral ties.
Azerbaijani parliament speaker Ogtay Asadov met ex-President of the Seychelles, Vice-President of the Centrist Asia-Pacific Democrats International, James Richard Mancham.
During the meeting, Asadov stressed the importance of visits of two sides' officials for development of relations between them. He also noted that Azerbaijan was the first country to grant women`s suffrage in the Muslim East.
Asadov spoke about the role of the political parties represented in the country`s legislative body, especially the leading New Azerbaijan Party.
He hailed relationship between the New Azerbaijan Party and the organization Mancham represents.
Asadov voiced confidence that the inter-parliamentary ties would contribute to developing relations in other spheres.
Mancham, in turn, lauded socio-economic development of Azerbaijan. He expressed confidence that reciprocal visits would contribute to deepening ties between Azerbaijan and the Seychelles.
Prior to the meeting, Deputy Premier, Deputy Chairman-Executive Secretary of the New Azerbaijan Party Ali Ahmadov met ex-President of the Seychelles Mancham.
Ahmadov also briefed Mancham on Azerbaijan`s achievements. He said President Ilham Aliyev-led reforms in the country has brought good results and made Azerbaijan a regional leader.
He noted effective management of oil revenues made an important contribution to the socio-economic development in Azerbaijan, adding that the country is dynamically developing amid reports of economic crisis in other countries.
Mancham said the Seychells was unaware about the status of the republics of the Soviet Union. He noted that Azerbaijan proved its worth in the international arena after regaining its independence.
He said Azerbaijan`s choice to take steps in the path of democracy will help the country to strengthen even more.
The parties exchanged views on the prospects for cooperation between the two nations.
Mancham was also an observer at the October 9, 2013 presidential elections in Azerbaijan.