The Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Morocco, Nazim Samadov, reaffirmed his country’s support in principle for Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara and the territorial integrity of the Kingdom.
On the occasion of Wednesday’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the independent Azerbaijani state, Heydar Aliyev, Nazim Samadov hailed the “serious and credible Moroccan efforts” to resolve the Sahara issue, in particular the plan to autonomy presented by the Kingdom.
Returning to bilateral relations, the Azerbaijani diplomat said that Morocco and Azerbaijan are called upon to further strengthen their cooperation in all areas, noting that the two countries have a lot in common, including shared values, the same religion and rich cultures.
Fourth ambassador appointed to Rabat since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1992, Nazim Samadov stressed that bilateral relations have continued to evolve over the past three decades.
“Former President Heydar Aliyev is the person who laid the foundations of relations between our two countries with a visit in 1994 to Casablanca to participate in the OIC Summit”, he recalled.
Nazim Samadov was particularly pleased with the level of parliamentary cooperation, with the creation of active friendship groups in the legislative institutions of the two countries, in addition to the Intergovernmental Commission created with the aim of intensifying bilateral economic cooperation and which is chaired by the foreign ministers of the Kingdom and the Caucasus country.
“If we take the period from January to April 2023 alone, we can see the growth of tourist arrivals from Morocco to Azerbaijan of 56%”, rejoiced, moreover, the Azerbaijani ambassador, adding that each year, about ten high-level visits are made between the two countries.
Indeed, he said, the two governments are striving to develop bilateral relations to the highest possible level. Nazim Samadov, however, felt that several avenues remain to be explored to further strengthen cooperation between Rabat and Baku.
It is, he said, to create favorable conditions for entrepreneurs of both countries to significantly increase trade and investment by eliminating barriers and establishing a direct flight.
The ambassador placed particular emphasis on cooperation in the energy sector, Baku being a major exporter of hydrocarbons, while Morocco, he noted, “has good experience in the development of energy renewables”.
“I think that efforts in all these directions can yield convincing results and increase the volume of trade between the two countries,” he said.
Referring to the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the independent Azerbaijani state, Heydar Aliyev, Nazim Samadov explained that this emblematic figure led Azerbaijan during two completely different periods: during the former USSR (1969-1982 ) and ten years after the restoration of the country’s independence (1993-2003).
“Returning to power at the call of the people at a difficult time for Azerbaijan, which restored its independence in 1991, Heydar Aliyev saved Azerbaijan from the threat of fragmentation and loss of independence, a deep economic and political crisis while leading the country on the path of sustainable development,” he said.