President Sheikh Mohamed received by Azerbaijan leader Ilham Aliyev on official visit

UAE leader lays wreaths at tomb of founder of modern Azerbaijan and Eternal Flame monument

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President Sheikh Mohamed was received by Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev at Zugulba Presidential Palace in the country's capital Baku, where an official reception ceremony was held.

The UAE President arrived in Baku on Monday evening at the invitation of Mr Aliyev.

Sheikh Mohamed laid wreaths at the tomb of Heydar Aliyev, founder of modern Azerbaijan, as well as at the Eternal Flame monument, state news agency Wam reported.

President Sheikh Mohamed visits Azerbaijan

President Sheikh Mohamed visits Azerbaijan

A guard of honour saluted Sheikh Mohamed, with the national anthems of the UAE and Azerbaijan also performed during his visit.

Talks focused on the economy, renewable energy, the environment, culture and education as the two leaders bid to enhance sustainable development in the countries.

Sheikh Mohamed highlighted that non-oil trade volume between the two countries has increased in recent years, emphasising that the UAE views stability and development in the Caucasus region as important.

He praised the strategic developmental projects undertaken by the UAE in Azerbaijan, including the Garadagh Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant launched by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company.

A strategic co-operation agreement was also secured between Adnoc and Azerbaijan's state oil company.

The move aims to deepen collaboration to advance a responsible supply of energy that supports a just, orderly and equitable global energy transition.

"I was pleased to meet with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan in Baku to discuss the growing ties between our countries," Sheikh Mohamed wrote on X, formerly Twitter, after his visit.

"The UAE is committed to working alongside Azerbaijan to expand co-operation in key fields that support development, progress and prosperity for both our nations and peoples."

The President was accompanied on the trip by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed.

The Eurasian nation is set to host the Cop29 climate change summit this year, a decision made during last December's global forum in Expo City Dubai.

Also accompanying the President on his trip were Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Cop28 President, Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the President, Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and Mohamed Al Suwaidi, Minister of Investment.

Talks at Cop29 in Azerbaijan, scheduled for November 2024, are expected to focus on raising the finance needed to turn the vision of the Dubai summit into reality.

Other members of the UAE delegation included Ahmed Al Sayegh, Minister of State, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, adviser for special affairs at the Presidential Court, Ali Al Shamsi, deputy secretary general of the Supreme National Security Council, and Mohammed Al Balushi, ambassador to Azerbaijan.

Updated: January 09, 2024, 10:59 AM