Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Azerbaijani and Saudi Arabian officials have discussed the development of bilateral relations between the two countries, as Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov received a Saudi delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Yousef Terad Al-Saadon on May 1.

Expressing satisfaction with the current level of ties between Azerbaijan and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mammadyarov stressed the necessity of redoubling the efforts to enhance the economic, trade and investment cooperation, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.

Al-Saadon expressed his conviction that forthcoming League of Arab States-Central Asia-Azerbaijan forum to be held in Riyadh at the initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will add further impetus to the development of multilateral and bilateral relations between two countries.

Mammadyarov added that the delegation including the representative of the Industry and Economy Ministry as well, headed by him will take part at the League of Arab States-Central Asia-Azerbaijan forum.

The sides also exchanged views on strengthening treaties-legal base and cooperation within the international organizations.

Azerbaijan established diplomatic relations with the Kingdom, which was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Azerbaijan, on February 24, 1992. In April 1994, the Azerbaijani Embassy opened in Riyadh, followed by the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Baku in June of 1999.

Saudi Arabia is one of the first countries to provide active humanitarian assistance to Azerbaijan. From 1994-1999, Saudi Arabia, starting with the program under King Fahd, repeatedly provided humanitarian assistance to refugees and IDPs and provided them with food, medicine and other necessities. Several disabled persons of the Karabakh war in 1999 were treated in Saudi Arabia.