Meeting with the Prime Minister of Montenegro

On January 19, Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, met with Dritan Abazović, the Prime Minister of Montenegro, in Davos, the Press Office of the Azerbaijani president reported.

During the meeting, both parties acknowledged that Azerbaijan and Montenegro enjoy cordial ties. They discussed topics for collaboration between the two nations in the tourism, investment, and energy sectors.

"The head of state emphasized the situation in the South Caucasus region, stating that Armenia conducts misleading information-based propaganda against Azerbaijan in several international institutions. President Ilham Aliyev informed the Prime Minister of Montenegro of the situation on the Lachin-Khankandi [Stepanakert in Armenian] road in Azerbaijani territory," the report added.

Dritan Abazović noted that Montenegro has always regarded Azerbaijan as a friendly nation. The Prime Minister stated that Montenegro is interested in expanding collaboration in all sectors with Azerbaijan.

Meeting with the Prime Minister of Croatia

On the same day, Ilham Aliyev met with Andrej Plenković, the Prime Minister of Croatia.

President Ilham Aliyev invited the Prime Minister of Croatia to visit Azerbaijan. The Prime Minister graciously accepted the invitation.

The conversation centered on cooperation in demining. The parties stressed the mine-clearing experience of Croatia, another country with a mining problem.

"The head of state said that Armenia had planted a large number of mines on Azerbaijani soil during its thirty-year occupation and emphasized that about 300 Azerbaijani residents had been killed or injured by mines since the conclusion of combat operations on November 10, 2022. He stated that the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency had conducted extensive mine-clearing operations. According to the president, Azerbaijan collaborates with Croatia in mine clearance and has purchased a range of demining equipment from Croatian firms. The parties emphasized the significance of expanding cooperation in mine removal," the report added.

The sides also discussed energy cooperation, specifically the strategic energy partnership between Azerbaijan and the EU. In addition, they emphasized Azerbaijan's ongoing efforts to expand gas exports to the European energy market.

Meeting with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands

On January 19, Aliyev met with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in Davos.

Both sides hailed the development of economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Netherlands and, in this regard, emphasized that Dutch companies are closely involved in the implementation of various projects in Azerbaijan. During the conversation, they noted the increasing importance of the East-West transport corridor and the Middle Corridor, which is part of it, and exchanged views on regional issues.

Mark Rutte expressed his appreciation for Azerbaijan's role in supplying gas to European nations and its contribution to ensuring the energy security of the European Union.

Ilham Aliyev provided information about the normalization of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and the negotiation process for a peace treaty between the two countries. The president stressed the importance of the negotiation process conducted with the support of Charles Michel, the President of the European Council, adding that his country is ready to continue the negotiations as part of this process.

"President Ilham Aliyev highlighted the recent developments on the Lachin-Khankandi road of Azerbaijan and noted that Armenia is spreading false information about the alleged blockade of the road, attempting to mislead the international community. The head of state said that the illegal exploitation of the natural resources of Azerbaijan in the areas where the Russian peacekeeping forces are temporarily stationed had caused the rightful resentment of the Azerbaijani public and civil society organizations," the report added.

It was noted that the free passage of Russian peacekeepers, essential humanitarian goods, civilians, and items for civilian purposes is ensured on the road through the International Committee of the Red Cross. The importance of removing criminal elements from those areas was once again emphasized.