Baku, November 10, AZERTAC

Azerbaijan`s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has met with Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat as part of his visit to Ethiopia.

The sides exchanged views on the ways to develop cooperation between Azerbaijan and the African Union. As an Observer State to the AU, growing interaction of Azerbaijan with the AU and exchange of mutual visits throughout the recent years was noted with the satisfaction.

Elmar Mammadyarov stressed the great potential for deepening of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the African Union in economic, educational, health, information and communication technologies and humanitarian spheres. He added that the students from Africa, who had studied in Azerbaijan during the period of USSR, continue to play a role of “Friendship Bridge” between the continent and Azerbaijan.

The minister emphasized that Azerbaijan, as the non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for term 2012-2013 and member of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for 2017-2019 has paid particular attention to the problems of the African continent. He also highlighted the successful implementation of girls' education projects in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Liberia through the Trust Fund operated by Azerbaijan and UNESCO and stressed the importance of involving the African Union Commission as a Partner in these projects.

Speaking about ASAN service concept, the Foreign Minister said that Azerbaijan stands ready to share this successful experience with African countries and noted that there has been a presentation of ASAN service in the African Union.

Noting the achievements of Azerbaijan in the fields of space, information and communication technologies, FM Mammadyarov stated that AU countries can also get benefited from operational satellites of Azerbaijan.

Minister Mammadyarov briefing Moussa Faki Mahamat about the advancements of Azerbaijan in good governance, socio-economic and human capital development, pointed out that despite Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan and consequent humanitarian problems of over one million refugees and internally displaced persons, the capital city of Baku is a candidate city for "Expo2025" with a view of promoting human capital as the fundamental base of sustainable development.

Moussa Faki Mahamat hailed the importance attached by Azerbaijan to the development of cooperation with the AU, assistance of Azerbaijan rendered to support continent wide humanitarian projects and through projects of the international organizations. Expressing his confidence that this visit will give further impetus to the cooperation, he stressed that the AU also shares the interest to enhance bilateral ties with Azerbaijan.

During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.