President of Azerbaijan ends official visit to Serbia - UPDATE - PHOTOS

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev yesterday completed his official visit to Serbia. A guard of honor was lined up for the President Ilham Aliyev at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport. President of Azerbaijan was seen off by top officials of Serbian government.

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Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Boris Tadic of Serbia have today had a working dinner.

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Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and Serbian President Boris Tadic on June 9 attended the inauguration of the monument to the outstanding Azerbaijan composer Uzeir Hajibeyli in Novi Sad.

Novi Sad is the capital of the northern Serbian province of Vojvodina, and the administrative centre of the South Bačka District. The city is located in the southern part of Pannonian Plain on the Danube river. Novi Sad is the second largest city in Serbia, after Belgrade.

The city was founded in 1694, when Serb merchants formed a colony across the Danube from the Petrovaradin fortress, Habsburg strategic military post. In 18th and 19th centuries, it became an important merchant and manufacturing centre, as well as a centre of Serbian culture of that period, earning the nickname Serb Athens. Today, Novi Sad is an industrial and financial center of the Serbian economy, as well as a major cultural hub.

Azerbaijan has made another contribution to the cultural life of Serbia, setting up the monument to the great Azerbaijan composer Uzeir Hajibeyli. The initiative belongs to the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Addressing the ceremony, mayor of Novi Sad Igor Pavličić thanked President Ilham Aliyev for the support. The mayor has emphasized that as a multicultural country Serbia respects all national cultures and highly values an idea of dedicating a monument to Uzeir Hajibeyli in Novi Sad.

Then Azerbaijan and Serbian leaders unveiled the monument. Both Presidents addressed the inauguration. The inauguration ceremony was rounded off with a concert performed by the Uzeir Hajibeyli Azerbaijan State Symphonic Orchestra.

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09.06.11

An official lunch was given here to President Ilham on Wednesday on behalf of Serbian counterpart Boris Tadic.

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Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Boris Tadic of Serbia attended the opening of the Tashmajdan Park.

The Azerbaijani President was told that the park is located in Belgrade's municipality of Palilula. Almost two millennia ago, Romans were extracting stone from the quarry located in the area for the building of Belgrade's predecessor, Singidunum. The quarry remained operational during Ottoman period, thus giving the name to the entire location.

The monuments to national leader Heydar Aliyev and renowned Serbian writer Milorad Pavic were erected in the park.

The Presidents of Azerbaijan and Serbia symbolically planted a tree in the park. They also made remarks at the ceremony. Presidents visited the monuments to national leader Heydar Aliyev and renowned Serbian writer Milorad Pavic.

President Ilham Aliyev met with general public in Belgrade. Residents thanked President Ilham Aliyev for his contribution to development of relations between the countries and peoples.

The ceremony was followed by a concert.

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev yesterday met with Speaker of the Serbian National Assembly Mrs. Slavica Dukic Dejanovic.

It was noted during the meeting that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's official visit to Serbia would contribute to development of relationship between the two countries and peoples.

The parties pointed out the documents signed during the visit help strengthen political and economic relations. They said both countries back each other's position in the international arena.

The sides underlined interparliamentary ties help expand bilateral relations and found the need to deepen cooperation in this field. Dynamic development of bilateral ties in a variety of fields was stressed at the meeting.

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After a ceremony of signing documents, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President Boris Tadic of Serbia made joint statement for the press.

"Our political relations are being upgraded to the strategic level," President of Serbia Boris Tadic said.

He stressed both countries have a number of things in common, saying it is about Nagorno-Karabakh and Kosovo disputes. Tadic stated Serbia recognizes territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

The Serbian leader thanked President Ilham Aliyev for his stance on the Kosovo problem.

The Serbian President declared his country wants to join the AGRI project.

"Gas is more important for Europe than nuclear energy. Azerbaijan is taking great steps in this area. It helps to develop Azerbaijan's economy," said Boris Tadic. He noted Azerbaijani companies are interested in investing in the infrastructure projects in Serbia.

For his part, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev noted Serbia-Azerbaijan relations have become more dynamic and effective over the past few years.

The Head of State underlined his Serbian counterpart's visit to Azerbaijan last year gave a strong impetus to bilateral relations.

"Our dialogue is strategic. Our relations are multifaceted," said President Ilham Aliyev.
The Azerbaijani leader noted both countries suffer from separatism, and Azerbaijan supports Serbia's territorial integrity in all international organizations.

The Azerbaijan's President thanked the Serbian government for its fair stance on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, expressing confidence that territorial integrity of both countries will be restored.

He underscored Azerbaijan favors Serbia's joining the AGRI project. President Aliyev pointed out Azerbaijan is interested in energy cooperation with Serbia.

The Head of State underlined the documents signed would give a kick-start to development of cooperation between the two countries.

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After the talks in extended format of President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Boris Tadic of Serbia ended, the cooperation documents were signed.

As stated, the signed documents include the agreement on cooperation in emergencies, cooperation and mutual assistant in customs sphere, promotion and mutual support of investments, cooperation in education field, in the field of youth affairs and sports, cooperation in protection of environment, cooperation in cultural field, the MOU on cooperation among the agriculture, trade, forestry and water economy departments of Azerbaijan and Serbia, the MOU on cooperation in the field of tourism, transportation, energy and civil aviation spheres.

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Following a one-on-one meeting, Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Boris Tadic of Serbia met in presence of both countries' delegations.

Serbian President Tadic called Azerbaijan an 'important partner' for his country. He pointed out there is the need to strengthen ties between the two countries in political, economic, cultural and humanitarian fields. The Serbian leader once more stated his country's position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Tadic underlined his country is interested in participation of Azerbaijani companies in infrastructure projects in Serbia and other spheres, adding it can be related to the agriculture as well. The President noted Serbia is keen on using Azerbaijan's transport-transit potential.

President Ilham Aliyev noted Azerbaijan-Serbia relations are rapidly developing.

"Such meetings are important for discussing various projects," said President Aliyev, adding there is mutual trust between the countries. He pointed out there is a good level of political relationship and prospects for energy cooperation between the two countries.

The Head of State once more informed his Serbian counterpart on Azerbaijan's stance on the Kosovo problem.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed hope that the activity of the intergovernmental commission would contribute to development of bilateral relations.

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After official welcoming ceremony, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President Boris Tadic of Serbia on June 8 met in private, correspondent of  reported.