Ilham Aliyev received UK Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with Baroness Emma Nicholson, the UK Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan.

Ilham Aliyev recalled with pleasure the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom this year, noting the sincere letter from UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and adding that he, too, had sent a truthful letter to the UK Prime Minister on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Aliyev stated that ties between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom are at a high level and are strengthening based on strategic cooperation. He also stated that the two countries have mutual trust and confidence.

President Aliyev also emphasised British enterprises' excellent operations in Nagorno-Karabakh, particularly in the domains of town planning, demining, and other areas.

Baroness Nicholson expressed delight that this year marked the 30th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic ties, and cited the letter from the UK Prime Minister to the Azerbaijani President.

Baroness Emma Nicholson discussed economic, trade, and energy cooperation between the two countries, as well as BP's operations and expansion in Azerbaijan, as well as the development of BP-Azerbaijan renewable energy collaboration in this respect.

Aliyev noted that renewable energy is receiving special attention in Azerbaijan's energy strategy, and that the nation has developed partnerships with numerous global enterprises in this sector. The President stressed the necessity of expanding cooperation with BP in the sphere of renewable energy, building on previous collaboration in the traditional energy sector.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed growing economic and commercial ties, as well as collaboration in a variety of sectors, such as education and culture.

They also spoke about regional concerns and events in Ukraine.

Russian peacekeepers advance negotiations over gas pipeline to Nagorno-Karabakh

On the morning of March 9, sappers (military engineers with demining and machinery repair training) of the de facto State Emergency Service (SSES) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) began demining the area near the gas pipeline in the Shusha-Lachin section, which is under the control of Azerbaijan. After their completion, work will begin on the restoration of the gas pipeline, Hunan Tadevosyan, the de-acto head of the Public Relations Department of the State Emergency Service of the NKR Ministry of Internal Affairs, said.

“Negotiations (with the Azerbaijani side) with the participation of Russian peacekeepers seem to have yielded results, and now the sappers are already in place to carry out mine clearance work,” he said, adding that only after that it will be possible to proceed with the restoration work on the gas pipeline.

Earlier, the Artsakhgas company reported that because of anaccident that occurred on the night of March 8, the main gas pipeline from Armenia to the Nagorno-Karabakh was damaged. Later, the de facto Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of NKR issued a statement stating that Azerbaijan was preventing the start of repair work on the damaged section of the pipeline near one of the combat positions of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.

Agdam visited by representatives from the United Nations

A team led by Maimunah Mohd Sharif, the UN Program Executive Director for the Promotion of Sustainable Development of Human Settlements (UN-HABITAT), had visited Agdam city.

The visitors learned about the city's new master plan, according to Emin Huseynov, the Azerbaijani president's special envoy on the Azerbaijani controlled regions in Nagorno-Karabakh (excluding Shusha).

"In Agdam, we presented them clear evidence of urbicide. UN-HABITAT, as it is called, is an international body tasked with addressing the issues of urbanisation and urban development in the twenty-first century. We also briefed the group on the restoration efforts in Agdam and other freed areas, as well as the Azerbaijani government's stance to the process," Huseynov said.

He stated that Azerbaijan would construct new cities and towns on its newly freed land. The state's principal purpose is to resuscitate Nagorno-Karabakh and restore residents to their ancestral homes as soon as feasible. This process, according to Huseynov, is already happening, as evidenced by the work of international organisations.

"We also discussed situations where international organisations may benefit from Azerbaijan's expertise. I hope the visitors would find this visit beneficial. Of course, the realities of 30 years of damage on these grounds are obvious, but we must look to the future," the official stated.

The territory of Agdam city is 1,750 hectares, and gardens will be built surrounding the city on a 2,450-hectare area, according to the general plan. In the city, a smart social infrastructure will be created, as well as 15 schools and kindergartens.

In the beginning, Agdam would be home to a large forest park of 125 hectares. The Agdam Canal, currently being rebuilt, will run through the city, draining into a manmade lake.

In Agdam, the construction of an industrial park is already underway as part of the plan. Food, light industry, services sectors, and large industrial firms would be split into social and technological zones. In the industry park, the foundations for the sale of building materials and a car park will be built.

The Russian prohibition on tomato imports from Azerbaijan has been lifted

According to the country's Food Safety Agency, Russia's agriculture watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor has removed the restriction on tomato imports from Azerbaijan completely.

The decision was based on the findings of a quarantine phytosanitary assessment of samples of items chosen during joint video inspections.

The Azerbaijani Food Safety Agency and other relevant organisations worked together to eliminate restrictions on Azerbaijani tomatoes and apples being exported to Russia.

Rosselkhoznadzor banned the export of Azerbaijani tomatoes and apples on December 10, 2020, claiming the necessity to "avoid the import and spread" of pesticides into Russia.

Azerbaijan is a major supplier of fruits and vegetables to Russia. Fresh and chilled tomato supply ranked top in the country. Tomatoes placed third on Azerbaijan's non-oil export list last year, with a value of $160.2 million.

Azerbaijan and Russia cooperate in a variety of areas, including the economy, agriculture, customs, communications, high technology, and others. Between the two nations, more than 230 intergovernmental and intercompany papers have been signed, and six "road plans" are being implemented.