Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Azerbaijan and Bulgaria have explored prospects for cooperation between their cities.

The exploration comes as Azerbaijani Ambassador Emil Karimov was on official visit to Varna, the third largest city and seaside resort of Bulgaria.

Speaking at a meeting with Regional Governor of Varna Ivan Velikov, Karimov said Azerbaijan intends to develop its cooperation with Bulgaria on all fronts, and to establish relations between the two countries' regions and cities.

Velikov, in turn, said Varna is ready to establish close cooperation with Azerbaijani regions, emphasizing the importance of experience exchanges and reciprocal visits.

Azerbaijani ambassador also met Mayor of Varna Ivan Portnih. The two sides emphasized the importance of building relations between Varna and the Azerbaijani cities. Portnih stressed the necessity of organizing joint business forums and conducting the experience exchanges in economic and cultural areas.

Karimov then met Boyan Mednikarov, Rector of Vaptsarov Naval Academy. The sides discussed prospects for building cooperation between Azerbaijan High Maritime Academy and Vaptsarov Naval Academy.

The ambassador gave a speech to teachers and students at the academy to highlight Azerbaijan's achievements in foreign policy, as well as economy and energy fields.

Touching upon consequences of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Karimov said Armenia continues to disregard resolutions of the UN Security Council, the Council of Europe and Organization of Islamic Cooperation demanding an unconditional and immediate withdrawal of its armed forces from Azerbaijan's occupied lands.

The ambassador also had a meeting with Rector of Chernorizets Hrabar Varna Free University Anna Nedyalkova. The meeting emphasized the importance of building cooperation between Azerbaijani universities and Varna Free University.

Karimov then met management of Varna Chamber of Commerce and Industry and heads of local companies. During the meetings, the ambassador urged Bulgarian entrepreneurs to play a more active role in increasing the bilateral trade with 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 expanded 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.