The United Kingdom has appointed a new ambassador to Azerbaijan, the UK government announced.

Fergus Auld has been appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan in succession to James Lyall Sharp. Auld will take up his appointment during August 2022.

Fergus Auld was Head of South Asia Department and India Coordinator (2017-2021), Head of Talent, Diversity and Learning and Development Unit (2015-2017), Head of International Extremism Unit (2014-2015) and Political Counsellor in Moscow (2011-2014).

Earlier, British Armed Forces Minister James Heappey paid an official visit to Azerbaijan on March 30. During his visit, Heappey met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Defence Minister Zakir Hasanov, and Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.

James Heappey and Ilham Aliyev exchanged views on the prospects of cooperation between the United Kingdom in oil, gas, investment in the Azerbaijani economy, trade, transport, and defence. During the meeting between Heappey and Bayramov, the sides exchanged views on political, economic, and trade issues, as well as prospects for cooperation in alternative energy sources and other fields, the Foreign Ministry stated. It was noted that Azerbaijan has made a significant contribution to Europe's energy security.

Also, British Ambassador to Azerbaijan James Sharp shared a photo of Armed Forces Minister James Heappey 's meeting with Ilham Aliyev on Twitter and thanked Azerbaijan for its humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. The ambassador also said as a message to Russia that Heappey visited the Alley of Martyrs: "Minister of the Armed Forces James Heappey visited the Alley of Martyrs today and paid tribute to those who died as a result of the Kremlin's instructions. Those martyrs sacrificed their lives for the independence of Azerbaijan," the ambassador said.