President Sheikh Mohamed holds talks with Azerbaijan's Aliyev during official visit

UAE and Azerbaijan announce comprehensive strategic partnership at meeting in Karabakh region

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  President Sheikh Mohamed waves goodbye to President Ilham Aliyev at the end of his visit to Azerbaijan. Omar Al Askar / UAE Presidential Court

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  President Sheikh Mohamed speaks with Ilham Aliyev just before leaving Azerbaijan. Omar Al Askar / UAE Presidential Court

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  President Sheikh Mohamed and Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, right, visit the National Carpet Museum in Shusha during an official visit to Azerbaijan. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court

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  President Sheikh Mohamed and Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, right, visit the National Carpet Museum in Shusha during an official visit to Azerbaijan. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court

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  President Sheikh Mohamed and Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, centre left, sit together at a performance demonstrating musical heritage and Karabakh horses on the Jidir Duzu plain, during an official visit to Azerbaijan. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court

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  President Sheikh Mohamed visits the construction site of Shusha Mosque during an official visit to Azerbaijan. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court

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  A performance celebrating musical heritage and Karabakh horsemanship on Jidir Duzu Plain during an official visit to Azerbaijan. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court

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  President Sheikh Mohamed and Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, right, visit the National Carpet Museum in Shusha during an official visit to Azerbaijan. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court

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  President Sheikh Mohamed and Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, right, visit the National Carpet Museum in Shusha during an official visit to Azerbaijan. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court

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  President Sheikh Mohamed and Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, centre, visit the National Carpet Museum in Shusha during an official visit to Azerbaijan. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court

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  President Sheikh Mohamed with Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, at the administrative building of the Special Representative Office during an official visit to Azerbaijan. Mohamed Al Hammadi / UAE Presidential Court

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  Anar Aliyev, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of Azerbaijan, third right, attends a memorandum of understanding exchange, at the administrative building of the Special Representative Office, during an official visit to Azerbaijan. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court

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  Saeed Al Hajeri, Minister of State, and Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, exchange a memorandum of understanding at the administrative building of the Special Representative Office during an official visit to Azerbaijan. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court

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  Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, group chief executive of Adnoc and chairman of Masdar, attend a memorandum of understanding exchange at the administrative building of the Special Representative Office during an official visit to Azerbaijan. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court

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  Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, speaks with Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, group chief executive of Adnoc and chairman of Masdar, during a reception at the administrative building of the Special Representative Office during an official visit to Azerbaijan. Omar Al Askar / UAE Presidential Court

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  Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, greets Abdulla bin Touq, Minister of Economy, at the administrative building of the Special Representative Office during an official visit to Azerbaijan. Omar Al Askar / UAE Presidential Court

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  Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and Faisal Al Bannai, adviser to the President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs, attend a reception at the administrative building of the Special Representative Office during an official visit to Azerbaijan. Omar Al Askar / UAE Presidential Court

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  President Sheikh Mohamed and Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, in the Karabakh region during an official visit to Azerbaijan. All photos: UAE Presidential Court

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  President Sheikh Mohamed's visit to Azerbaijan included an honour guard on his arrival at the administrative building of the Special Representative Office

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  As part of the ceremonial welcome for President Sheikh Mohamed, Elchin Bagirov, ambassador of Azerbaijan to the UAE; Orkhan Sultanov, Director of Intelligence of Azerbaijan; Anar Aliyev, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of Azerbaijan; Emin Amrullayev, Minister of Education and Science of Azerbaijan; Rashad Nabiyev, Minister of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan: Parviz Shahbazov, Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan; Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan; and Kamran Aliyev, Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan, stand for the national anthems at the administrative building of the Special Representative Office

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  Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohamed, Chairman of the UAE Media Council; Abdulla bin Touq, Minister of Economy; Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, group chief executive of Adnoc and chairman of Masdar, in Azerbaijan

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  UAE President Sheikh Mohamed is received by Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, on arrival at Fuzuli International Airport for an official visit. All photos: UAE Presidential Court

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  Sheikh Mohamed is greeted by Mr Aliyev. The UAE President is accompanied by a high-level delegation

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  Mr Aliyev awaits Sheikh Mohamed's arrival at the airport in the Karabakh region

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  The plane carrying Sheikh Mohamed lands

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  Sheikh Mohamed with Mr Aliyev at Fuzuli airport

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed held talks with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev during an official visit on Tuesday, as the two countries announced a comprehensive strategic partnership aimed at advancing ties.

The leaders were present as deals were struck to boost partnerships in key sectors such as transport, energy and tourism, workforce development and ship building, while the UAE-Azerbaijan Business Council was also established.

The two nations set out plans to work together on investment opportunities in renewable and clean energy. They will also co-operate to develop an artificial intelligence strategy for Azerbaijan, under which the technology will be integrated into education.

An agreement was also reached between Abu Dhabi Holding Company and Azerbaijan Investment Holding to strengthen collaboration. The two organisations launched a joint investment platform in December 2023 to pursue projects in fields from agriculture and pharmaceuticals to technology and energy infrastructure.

The agreements were exchanged between Saeed Al Hajeri, Minister of State, and Azerbaijan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov.

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Aliyev also pledged to bolster links in sectors such as the economy, investment, food security and renewable energy during discussions held in the Karabakh region.

Sheikh Mohamed met Mr Aliyev in Abu Dhabi in July, during which the countries agreed on a major trade deal aimed at spurring economic growth. Sheikh Mohamed described the agreement as "a significant milestone in UAE-Azerbaijan relations" at the time.

The Azerbaijani leader also held talks in the UAE capital with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Their meeting was aimed at advancing peace efforts between the countries after decades of conflict.

Mr Aliyev and Mr Pashinyan went on to sign a peace pact in the presence of US President Donald Trump at the White House.

On Tuesday, Sheikh Mohamed called for "continued positive progress" in the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Sheikh Mohamed had earlier been greeted by Mr Aliyev at Fuzuli International Airport, in the Karabakh region.

The two leaders travelled to the city of Shusha for an official reception. Sheikh Mohamed's high-level delegation includes Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, Adviser to the UAE President, as well as government ministers and senior officials.

Cultural connections

Sheikh Mohamed was given a chance to sample the Karabakh region's rich culture and tradition on a scenic tour with the Azerbaijani leader.

The two men visited Shusha Fortress, which dates back to the 1750s and is regarded as a historic symbol of the country, and the landmark Shusha Mosque.

Sheikh Mohamed also visited the Jidir Duzu Plain, a popular nature spot and tourist attraction which plays host to horse racing and equestrian exhibitions.

The UAE leader also toured monuments celebrating prominent prominent Azerbaijani figures in the fields of literature and the arts, and also paid a visit to the Shusha branch of the National Carpet Museum of Azerbaijan.

Sheikh Mohamed later departed Karabakh to conclude his official visit. Mr Aliyev said farewell to Sheikh Mohamed and his accompanying delegation at Fuzuli International Airport.