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By Sara Rajabova

The energy-rich countries of the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf – Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates -- have voiced an interest for further boosting cooperation.

Azerbaijan and UAE’s high-ranking officials have focused on the development of relations between the two countries at different levels during the UAE delegation’s visit to Baku.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president, prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai held an expanded meeting on April 2.

The sides discussed political relations, as well as the successful cooperation within the framework of the international organizations.

The two countries enjoy fruitful cooperation in various fields and their mutual relations are developing both in the political, economic and cultural fields with ascending line.

Azerbaijan and UAE also have long-standing and successful cooperation within international organizations such as the United Nations and Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

The two countries’ officials further exchanged views on the long-lasting Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which emerged in 1988 over Yerevan’s territorial claims against its South Caucasus neighbor.

President Aliyev said there is a very active political dialogue between Azerbaijan and United Arab Emirates.

“Strong political ties and active political dialogue based on brotherhood of the two nations pave ways to the establishment of very special format for mutual partnership,” the president said.

The top officials further reviewed prospects for the expansion of economic relations, mutual and joint investments, tourism and other issues.

The sides noted big opportunities and potential for the two countries to cooperate in the field of investments. Azerbaijan and the UAE also have huge capacity for further increasing the trade volume and are taking measures to reach this goal.

President Aliyev said the economic cooperation and investment related issues are important for expanding collaboration.

He expressed satisfaction that the first overseas office of the UAE’s Chamber of Commerce was founded three years ago in Baku.

The tourism sector is one of the main areas of cooperation between the two countries. The officials from both sides have stated that tourism in both countries is increasing.

President Aliyev noted that there are good opportunities for mutual investments, joint implementation of various projects, as well as for the creation of joint ventures, especially in tourism sector.

“As you know, many people from Azerbaijan are visiting your beautiful country. We hope that the tourists from the UAE will also visit Azerbaijan more often. Thus, the format of cooperation is very broad,” he said.

Later, a ceremony of signing documents between Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates was held with the participation of President Aliyev and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Kamaladdin Heydarov, the Azerbaijani minister of emergency situations and Anwar Mohammed Gargash, UAE’s foreign minister signed the “Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan and the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority of the United Arab Emirates on cooperation in the field of emergency management”.

Also, Samir Sharifov, Azerbaijan’s finance minister and Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, UAE’s economy minister signed the “Memorandum of Understanding between the State Committee for Securities of Azerbaijan and Securities and Commodities Authority of the United Arab Emirates in relation to assistance and mutual co-operation”.

The visit of the UAE delegation headed by Dubai Ruler Al Maktoum to Azerbaijan started on April 1.

The fifth meeting of Intergovernmental Commission on economy, trade and technical cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UAE was held in Baku last November. The two countries reached an agreement on the issue of providing the necessary support and promoting the activities of their business communities, private and public enterprises establish joint ventures in sectors.

The UAE companies earlier voiced interest in exporting mineral water and natural stone from Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, as well as investing in the Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park.

The United Arab Emirates has recognized Azerbaijan’s independence on December 26, 1991. Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and UAE were established in September 1992.

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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @SaraRajabova

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