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01.12.2016
AzerNews

Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina are keen to expand cooperation in various spheres with a particular focus on alluring fields of economy for investing. 

Visiting delegation of Bosnia and Herzegovina led by Foreign Minister Igor Crnadak first had a meeting with President Ilham Aliyev.

President Aliyev recalled his pleasure with numerous meetings conducted with the leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina in recent years in a spirit of sincerity, friendship and constructive approach.

The president expressed his hope that during the talks to be held in Baku will center on political relations, and strengthening cooperation in international organizations, including the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Council of Europe. 

President Aliyev stressed the necessity of constant mutual support in all initiatives related to the expansion of cooperation in this direction.

Speaking about the issues of economic and investment partnership between Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina, President Aliyev recalled fruitful discussions with the then chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Bakir Izetbegović about the Azerbaijani investments in that country. 

Referring to the energy projects of a global nature, which are important not only for Azerbaijan but also for the whole region, the president voiced his hope that Bosnia and Herzegovina will actively participate in the projects implemented by Azerbaijan.

The same day Crnadak met with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov to discuss prospects for developing cooperation between the two countries in a variety of fields. 

The two countries discussed the further development of bilateral cooperation, said Mammadyarov while making statements at a briefing after the talks.

He noted that the cooperation in the energy sphere, implementation of the transportation project on the Great Silk Road route are the priorities in cooperation between the two countries.

The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway to be commissioned by the end of this year or early next year  will open up opportunities to Bosnia and Herzegovina as well, he noted.

“We decided in a short time after the visit to prepare several agreements to strengthen the legal framework,” the minster said. 

There are good opportunities for cooperation in the education sphere, noted Mammadyarov, adding that the two countries intend to expand and strengthen the judicial base of interaction.

Mammadyarov also informed his counterpart Crnadak about the process of solution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

In turn, Igor Crnadak stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, and the parliament of the Balkan country has recently reiterated this position.

Crnadak said that Bosnia and Herzegovina intends to expand cooperation with Azerbaijan. "Our country is open to Azerbaijani investments and intends to organize a business forum with participation of the businessmen of the two countries in the near future."

During his Baku visit, the minister also met with Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, who voiced the necessity of further expanding the cooperation between the two countries within the framework of international organizations.

He noted that Azerbaijan is closely involved in ensuring Europe's energy security, which will also contribute to the economic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina amounted to $227,600 in ten months of 2016 that is by 43.9 percent less than in the same period of 2015.

Gunay Hasanova is AzerNews’ staff journalist

http://www.azernews.az/nation/105905.html