Azerbaijan keen to strengthen cooperation with Qatar: Envoy
Ashraf Siddiqui
Doha
Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Qatar HE Adish Mammadov has praised the flourishing bilateral ties between the two countries, highlighting their deep bond rooted in shared moral values and a profound sense of brotherhood.
Speaking at a reception hosted on Thursday to commemorate Azerbaijan Independence Day, the envoy noted that the warm ties are significantly strengthened by the personal rapport between President Ilham Aliyev and the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The reception was graced by distinguished attendees, including Minister of Transport of Qatar HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani, Director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar HE Ambassador Ibrahim Fakhro, Dean of the Asian Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam HE Mohamed Haji Abu Bakar, Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of Azerbaijan Sabina Aliyeva, members of the diplomatic corps and members of the Azerbaijani community in Qatar.
Ambassador Mammadov underlined Azerbaijan's keen interest in further strengthening the longstanding brotherhoodand collaboration including in political, economic, trade, and cultural spheres to the benefit of both nations.
He noted that 2023 marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Qatar and highlighted the tradition of mutual support not only at international forums but also in bilateral engagements.
Despite the evolving level of economic and trade cooperation, he expressed optimism about expanding this collaboration further.
High-level visits and agreements across various governance areas, along with regular inter-ministerial consultations, have fortified these ties, he said, adding that cultural initiatives, such as Azerbaijani Culture Days in Doha and Qatari Culture Days in Baku, have also deepened connections.
In 2023, Qatar received over 2,500 Azerbaijani tourists, and many Azerbaijanis are working in Qatar, reflecting robust people-to-people links, the envoy added.
Talking about the significance of the celebrations, he said that Azerbaijan commemorated 107 years since the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the first secular republic in the Islamic East, declared on May 28, 1918.
He added that though it lasted only two years before being occupied by the Bolsheviks, Azerbaijan's statehood aspirations endured. After the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, Azerbaijan reasserted its independence, building strong diplomatic ties worldwide, with 90 missions abroad and hosting 88 countries and 15 consulates.
Paying tributes to Heydar Aliyev's vision of prioritising national interests and Ataturk's principle of 'peace at home, peace in the world', he said that Azerbaijan has become a hub of economic and trade cooperation, striving for peace and stability in the Caucasus.
He said that with its rich natural resources, Azerbaijan exported 12 billion cubic metres of gas to Europe in 2023, aiming to reach 20 billion by 2027. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, operational since 2006, continues to bolster economic growth.
Mammadov said that Azerbaijan is also investing in renewable energy and modern transport infrastructure, transforming its role as a key logistics bridge between East and West. Its active international presence was reflected in chairing the Non-Aligned Movement and hosting COP29 in Baku.
He said that with a multicultural and tolerant society, Azerbaijan remains committed to peace and reconstruction, especially in the liberated Karabakh region.
The guests were treated to the rich flavours of Azerbaijani national cuisine, all while enjoying the melodies of traditional Azerbaijani melodious music – Gunay Imamverdiyeva (Singer); Toghrul Asadullayev (Tar player); and Kamal Nuriyev (Kaman player).
On Saturday, Azerbaijan embassy organised a concert 'My Azerbaijan' at the Dukhan Auditorium, University of Doha for Science and Technology.
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