London hosts forum on Azerbaijan-UK ties
By Aynur Jafarova
London hosted a diplomatic forum on Azerbaijan- United Kingdom relations on March 5.
The forum co-organized by the Azerbaijani Embassy to the UK and the London Diplomatic Academy brought together students and teachers from several universities, as well as the London Diplomatic Academy.
Addressing the event, Azerbaijani Ambassador to the UK Fakhraddin Gurbanov informed the event participants about political, economic and cultural relations between the two countries, the embassy reported.
He said the relations between Azerbaijan and the UK were established thanks to the visits of national leader Heydar Aliyev, further noting that President Ilham Aliyev's visits had greatly contributed to strengthening the bilateral relations.
Gurbanov also provided an insight into the activities of the Azerbaijani Diaspora organizations in the UK. He stressed Azerbaijan's role in ensuring the European energy security.
Touching on the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the ambassador highlighted Azerbaijan's efforts to make the realities about the dispute known to the international community.
He underlined the activities of the "Justice for Khojaly!" campaign launched by Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva.
The forum featured a question-and-answer session with the ambassador.
Also, books on Azerbaijan's culture, traditions and tourism opportunities were presented to the library of the London Diplomatic Academy.
The UK recognized Azerbaijan's independence in December, 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in March, 1992.
Azerbaijan and the UK have benefited from close bilateral partnership and cooperation since 1992, in the framework of international organizations such as the United Nations, OSCE, Council of Europe, and NATO. The relations have covered a wide range of issues, from high-level political dialogue to growing trade and investment, as well as strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties.
Economic cooperation between the two countries, especially in the energy sector, is at the core of the relations between Azerbaijan and the UK. The UK is the largest foreign direct investor in Azerbaijan, followed by the U.S. and Japan.
Azerbaijan cooperates with the UK in the exploration and transportation of oil and natural gas from the Azerbaijani part of the Caspian Sea.