On November 23, Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, arrived in Serbia for an official visit, the Press Office of the Azerbaijani President reported.

Ilham Aliyev and Aleksandar Vučić held a one-on-one meeting in Belgrade on the same day. Afterward, they held an expanded meeting. Moreover, on November 23, Ilham Aliyev met with Ana Brnabić, the Prime Minister of Serbia.

Aliyev and Vučić sign agreements

On November 23, a document signing ceremony was held in Belgrade after the meeting of Ilham Aliyev with Aleksandar Vučić.

Aliyev and Vučić signed the "Joint Statement between the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the President of the Republic of Serbia," "Memorandum on establishing the Strategic Partnership Council between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Serbia." 

"Agreement on readmission between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Serbia" was signed by Vilayat Eyvazov, the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Bratislav Gašić, the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia.

"Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Serbia on the recognition of the certificates of the International Convention of 1978 on the Training, Diploma, and Duty of Seafarers" Transport Minister Rashad Nabiyev and Serbian Minister of Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure Goran Vesić signed.

The Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Azerbaijan signed the Administrative Agreement between the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs of the Republic of Serbia on the implementation of the "Agreement on Social Security between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Serbia" Sahil Babayev and the Minister of Labor, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Nikola Selaković signed.

The "Memorandum of Understanding between the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Serbian Development Agency of the Republic of Serbia" was signed by the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Serbia, Kamil Khasiyev, and the Director of the Serbian Development Agency, Radoš Gazdić.

The "Memorandum of Understanding between the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan - AZPROMO and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia" was signed by the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Serbia, Kamil Khasiyev, and the Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Mihailo Vesović.

Press conference

Following the ceremony of signing documents, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić made press statements.

Regarding energy issues, Vučić said, "When it comes to gas production and export, Azerbaijan is a powerful country. After seven, eight, and ten years, Azerbaijan will export more than 35 billion cubic meters of gas. Today, gas export is about 22 billion cubic meters. More than half of this volume is It is transported to European countries. That is why we are working on creating an interconnector between Serbia and Bulgaria to supply the significant volumes of gas exported by our friends in Baku. We discussed electricity transmission because there is a large European project connecting Georgia, Romania, and Hungary. We will discuss the participation of our partners from Europe in this project because the power line will be laid under the water. The line goes under the Black Sea so that our distribution network can be successfully connected to the distribution network of Romania and Hungary. As a result, we can receive electricity safely in the future and our country's electricity network, let's ensure full safety regarding energy."

"I told President Aliyev that although some documents need to be signed due to all transparent protocol issues, his word is enough for us. Because we believe his word more than any signature. Whatever he says is enough for me, I know that it is so. It is important for us," he added.

Vučić stated, "In the next 20 days, I am expected to make an unofficial but important visit to Baku, Azerbaijan, to discuss several issues of great importance to us. I will be accompanied by several ministers of the Serbian government to deepen the strategic partnership established today with very concrete agreements and practical steps. I see that this is not a joke. Although it may seem like a joke to someone, Ilham Aliyev is the most popular person in Europe today. It is incredible how changes are happening in Europe. Usually, they could not find time for him, but now they devote all their time to him because they need Azerbaijani gas and everything that Azerbaijan has to offer, he is very popular there. But I know that he is a smart man, sees everything, and understands everything. To be honest, I am a little jealous. They only give me Kosovo when there is an issue with Kosovo, when they need something related to Kosovo, they call me to threaten me. But the President They love Ilham Aliyev and call him because they love him. They ask him for everything. I am happy how my great friend and great friend of Serbia has succeeded and has not changed. He has always ensured his country's security, earned respect, cared for his country, and defended his country's interests. Let others think whether they have changed or not, whether they have changed their approach and principles."

President Ilham Aliyev said, "We have discussed regional security matters. As my friend Aleksandar said, we have discussed cooperation in the energy field, and these discussions will continue today. There are ample opportunities for cooperation in the fields of natural gas and electricity. Today, Azerbaijan's rich gas resources play a role in the energy security of many countries, and this role will continue to grow. Of course, first of all, we intend to deepen cooperation with friendly countries in this and all other fields. In particular, cooperation in the military and technical field is already underway, and additional steps will be taken to deepen and widen this cooperation."

He added: "I have invited my dear friend, President Vučić, to visit Azerbaijan. I believe such a visit can be organized both before and after the end of the year. Of course, I will come here again. My visit to Serbia is slightly overdue; it has been somewhat delayed because President Vučić was in Azerbaijan three and a half years ago. I also had to pay a reciprocal visit. But due to the intervention of COVID, it was slightly delayed. But I am very happy to be back in your beautiful country. We will have many such visits. Our friendship will be eternal."

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