Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Monday discussed preparations for the upcoming Azerbaijani-Israeli business forum with Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar during a meeting in Baku, highlighting the steady expansion of bilateral ties across multiple sectors.
According to a statement released by Aliyev’s press service, both sides expressed satisfaction with the recent meeting between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Israel, which took place on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos a few days earlier. That meeting, the statement said, focused on key issues on the bilateral agenda and reaffirmed the strategic nature of relations between the two countries.
The press service underscored that Azerbaijani-Israeli relations are developing successfully in a wide range of areas, including trade and the economy, energy cooperation, tourism, and other fields. Over the years, Azerbaijan and Israel have built a partnership marked by growing economic exchanges, technological cooperation, and political dialogue.
During the meeting, Saar noted that he was accompanied to Baku by representatives of major businesses and the broader Israeli business community. He emphasized that the planned Azerbaijani-Israeli business forum is expected to play an important role in further strengthening trade and economic relations between the two countries. The forum is seen as a platform to explore new investment opportunities, expand commercial ties, and encourage joint projects in areas of mutual interest.
Both Aliyev and Saar also praised the work of the Azerbaijani-Israeli intergovernmental commission, describing it as an effective mechanism for advancing bilateral cooperation and coordinating efforts across different sectors.
The Israeli foreign minister expressed gratitude to President Aliyev for the care and attention shown to the Jewish community in Azerbaijan at the state level. Azerbaijan is widely regarded for its tradition of religious tolerance and multiculturalism, with the Jewish community playing an active role in the country’s social and cultural life.
As part of his official visit, Saar is scheduled to hold a series of meetings in Baku later on Monday, including talks with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Ceyhun Bayramov. Following the conclusion of his engagements in Azerbaijan, Saar is expected to continue his regional tour with a visit to Kazakhstan.
