Azerbaijani President: Relations with Serbia important for Azerbaijan - UPDATE

President of Serbia Boris Tadic has today ended his official visit to Azerbaijan.

A ceremonial guard of honor was lined up for the Serbian leader at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport decorated with national flags of Azerbaijan and Serbia.

The Serbian President was seen off by First Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Yagub Eyyubov and other officials.

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17:52

After the one-on-one meeting in Baku, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Serbian President Boris Tadic held talks in an expanded format with participation of delegations.

Addressing participants of the meeting, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that yesterday and today the parties had a good discussion about successfully developing bilateral relations. "I am confident that your visit to our country will be an important step towards further development of bilateral ties and expansion of relations, covering many areas. We have very strong political ties. I hope that our economic cooperation will also comply with this strategic direction. Relations with Serbia are important to us. I am confident that our strong bilateral relations will open good opportunities for cooperation between the Balkan and Caucasus regions. We will advance," Ilham Aliyev said.

He said that Boris Tadic's visit became the first official visit of Serbian President to Azerbaijan in the history of relations between the two countries. "We appreciate it and express gratitude that you accepted our invitation. I am confident that the discussions that we held today and the signed documents will create a solid foundation for long-term strategic relationship between our two countries.

"Once again, welcome! I am confident that you will be satisfied with your visit to Azerbaijan",  Azerbaijani President said.

Expressing gratitude for warm reception, Boris Tadic expressed hope that the parties will continue to develop relations as true friends in future. "I see many similarities between the two developing regions - the Balkans and the Caucasus. We face the same difficulties. We are very interested in the development of bilateral relations. At the same time, we exchange views on some challenges our countries face, and solving the problems. Being here - in Baku, in Azerbaijan, I have witnessed many similarities. At first, I must say that there are similarities that unite our countries and peoples. I think you will see them when you visit our country, " Serbian President said.

He said that two countries have common interests in protecting their territorial integrity. "We shared our views. Such issues have a fundamental nature for us. Serbia acts to maintain the territorial integrity of all countries in the world. From this point of view, you can rely on us," Boris Tadic said.

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16:10

Following the ceremony of signing of documents, Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Boris Tadic of Serbia made their statements for the media.

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14:42

A ceremony of signing the Azerbaijan-Serbia documents was held Thursday here. Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Boris Tadic of Serbia signed a joint declaration of Presidents of the Republics of Azerbaijan and Serbia. Foreign Ministers Elmar Mammadyarov of Azerbaijan and Vuk Yeremic of Serbia signed a protocol on cooperation between the Foreign Ministries of both countries.

Foreign Ministers Elmar Mammadyarov of Azerbaijan and Vuk Yeremic of Serbia signed an agreement between the Governments of Azerbaijan and Serbia on elimination of visa requirements for persons holding diplomatic and service/official passports.

Azerbaijani Minister of Taxes Fazil Mammadov and Foreign Minister Vuk Yeremic of Serbia signed a convention between the Governments of Azerbaijan and Serbia on elimination of double taxation with respect to property and incomes.

Interior Minister of Azerbaijan Ramil Usubov and First Deputy Premier, Interior Minister of Serbia Ivica Dacic signed a cooperation agreement between the Governments of Azerbaijan and Serbia on combat against criminality.

Azerbaijani Minister of Economic Development Shahin Mustafayev and Serbia`s Deputy Premier, Minister of Economy and Regional Development Mladan Dinkic signed an agreement between the Governments of Azerbaijan and Serbia on trade and economic cooperation.

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13:50

President of Serbia Boris Tadic has today visited the Heydar Aliyev Foundation here. The Serbian leader was briefed about aims and activity of the Foundation. Tadic familiarized himself with the items taken from national leader`s personal archive and photographs.

President Tadic saw documents, keepsakes presented to national leader by world famous politicians, books dedicated to the great leader as well as photographs depicting Heydar Aliyev's meetings with leaders of foreign countries.

President Boris Tadic signed a Foundation's guest book. A “mugham alemi” musical album released by the Foundation.

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After their private meeting, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Serbia Boris Tadić met in presence of both countries' delegations.

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Today, following the welcoming ceremony, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Serbia Boris Tadić met in private. The heads of state focused on the questions related to expansion of bilateral relations in versatile fields, including economic ties. Parties underlined good potential to boost up the relations in the years to come.

The current visit is of certain importance from the standpoint of expansion of the bilateral ties, the heads of state emphasized. They also shared views on numerous issues related to regional and international questions.

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On May 13 President of the Republic of Serbia Boris Tadic who is on an official visit in Azerbaijan has today been given an official welcome. A ceremonial guard of honor was lined up at the square decorated with the national flags of Azerbaijan and Serbia. The Serbian leader was welcomed here by Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev.

The two presidents inspected the guard of honor as a military orchestra played the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Serbia. Azerbaijani officials were introduced to Boris Tadic, while members of the Serbian delegation to President Ilham Aliyev. The Presidents then posed for photographs.

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President of Serbia Boris Tadić has today visited the Alley of Honors to lay a wreath at the tomb of Azerbaijan's national leader Heydar Aliyev.

The guest then visited the Alley of Martyrs to commemorate Azerbaijani heroes who gave their lives for the country's independence and territorial integrity.

He laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument.

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09:50

A guard of honor was lined up at the Heydar Aliyev airport in honor of the Serbian leader. Tadic was welcomed here by First Deputy Premier of Azerbaijan Yagub Eyyubov and other officials. The Serbian President and Vice-Premier of Azerbaijan had a brief conversation in the airport's VIP room.


/AzerTAc/