2024-05-10 06:11:52
“The Republic of Azerbaijan considers the Kingdom of Morocco as a brother and partner country, and we are driven by a strong political will to further develop our relations with this country, in all areas that offer opportunities for mutual cooperation. beneficial,” said Mr. Hajiyev, also head of the Foreign Affairs Department of the President’s administration, during a meeting with Moroccan journalists visiting Azerbaijan, at the initiative of the Baku embassy in Rabat.
Mr. Hajiyev noted that the institutional history of Azerbaijan records that the Kingdom was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of this Caucasian country, and that Rabat took the initiative to establish relations of cordiality and cooperation with Baku since 1992.
Emphasizing “the excellence of the relations” which link the two capitals, characterized by solidarity, trust and mutual respect, Mr. Hajiyev recalled the holding, in November 2023 in Rabat, of the 2nd session of the Morocco-Azerbaijan Joint Cooperation Commission.
He wished to underline, in this respect, the principled position of Baku regarding its “permanent and unwavering” support for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco.
Regarding areas of activity in which the two countries can further develop their ties, Hajiyev cited industry, trade, tourism and agriculture, calling on the business communities in both countries to better know each other and work together to create a good collaborative environment.
The advisor to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan affirmed that Azerbaijani companies are predisposed to invest in tourism infrastructure in Morocco, being one of the radiant centers of world tourism. He welcomed, in the same context, the fact that Morocco is attracting more and more Azerbaijani tourists.
Addressing other possible areas of cooperation, Mr. Hajiyev recalled that the place occupied by the Kingdom in terms of the automobile industry and renewable energies no longer needs to be demonstrated, affirming that these two promising sectors offer opportunities for fairly significant cooperation.
He noted, moreover, that Morocco is well placed to contribute to the development of Azerbaijan’s trade relations with other African countries, and that Azerbaijan can do the same for Morocco’s relations with the countries of the Caucasus and of Central Asia.
And the cultural aspect is not left out. Hikmat Hajiyev affirmed, in this regard, that Moroccan culture, strong in the diversity of its tributaries, arouses a lot of interest in Azerbaijan, stressing that this interest is also largely explained by the very important role played Morocco in the rebirth of Muslim civilization.
The Azeri official did not fail to raise the “particular admiration” that the Azerbaijanis have for Morocco, for its history, its culture and its cuisine.
The adviser to the Azerbaijani presidency considered it appropriate to increase actions capable of developing cultural cooperation between the two countries, indicating that the declaration of the cities of Shusha and Marrakech cultural capitals of the Islamic world can constitute the starting point for better cultural cooperation between the two countries.
In the area of worship, Mr. Hajiyev noted that Morocco and Azerbaijan are called upon to collaborate more closely, given that the two countries act to promote the values of moderate Islam and open to other religions, also noting that the two countries stand together against the phenomenon of Islamophobia which is growing.
2024-05-10 06:11:52