Baku, December 19, AZERTAC

Prime Minister Ali Asadov of Azerbaijan attended the 11th Summit of the Developing Eight Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) on Thursday in Cairo, Egypt.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt welcomed Prime Minister Ali Asadov and the heads of state and government from D-8 member states.

During the summit, Azerbaijan was elected a member of the D-8 with the unanimous decision of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation member countries.

Addressing the event, Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov emphasized that, for the first time, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev participated in the D-8 Summit held in Istanbul at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Describing participation in today’s summit as a historic milestone, PM Asadov expressed his gratitude to all member states for electing Azerbaijan as a member of the D-8.

“Azerbaijan will closely contribute to protecting the organization’s fundamental principles and further deepening cooperation,” Ali Asadov underscored.

He then added, “Against the backdrop of modern conflicts and political tensions, ensuring security and stability and developing mutually beneficial cooperation in our vast region are of paramount importance. In this regard, the Republic of Azerbaijan stands as one of the reliable regional centers, with its geopolitical position, huge economic potential, and modern transport infrastructure. Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Azerbaijan plays an important role in implementing critical energy projects and in developing international transport corridors. Azerbaijan, along with successfully chairing a number of international organizations, contributes to solving global problems. Our country’s four-year chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, the world’s largest organization after the UN, as well as our chairmanship of COP29, which is considered one of the prestigious events in the world, are clear indicators of Azerbaijan’s growing influence on the international arena.”

Highlighting Azerbaijan’s achievement in ending nearly 30 years of Armenian occupation and fully restoring its territorial integrity and sovereignty, the PM added: “Armenia conducted ethnic cleansing against Azerbaijanis in the territories it had occupied, and more than 1 million Azerbaijanis became refugees and IDPs. Urbicide, culturcide, and ecocide were carried out in our territories. The cultural and religious heritage of the Azerbaijani people was destroyed. 65 out of 67 mosques in those territories were raised to the ground. Currently, large-scale restoration and construction work is underway in these territories, with villages and cities being built from scratch. Thousands of former internally displaced persons have already returned to their ancestral lands.”

Emphasizing that the new realities open up unique opportunities for lasting peace and stability in the region, as well as for mutually beneficial cooperation, PM Ali Asadov underscored that Azerbaijan is committed to the regional peace agenda and will continue its decisive steps in this direction.

“Azerbaijan, throughout history, has played a bridge role between the East and the West, and has been one of the main cultural, religious, and civilization centers of the Islamic world. Our country has made great contributions to the formation of an environment of multiculturalism and tolerance, the establishment of intercultural dialogue, and the promotion of Islamic values in the world,” he added.

The PM noted that the D-8, whose member countries` population constitutes 60% of the world Muslims, plays an important role in Islamic solidarity. “Taking into consideration the growing Islamophobia, extremism, and radicalism in the world, it is important for our organization to unite efforts to strengthen Islamic solidarity,” he emphasized.

Touching upon the recent developments in Syria, Prime Minister Ali Asadov noted: “Following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, it is of utmost importance to restore peace and stability in the country and put an end to the civil conflict. Azerbaijan reiterates its support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria. We hope that the challenges will be resolved in accordance with the will of the Syrian people, as well as through domestic political dialogue. Azerbaijan will not spare its support in addressing the humanitarian problems faced by the Syrian people. Close contacts with the brotherly Republic of Türkiye to take practical steps in this direction are ongoing”.

PM Ali Asadov emphasized that Azerbaijan, which maintains friendly and brotherly relations with Muslim countries, would continue to make its valuable contribution to strengthening Islamic solidarity.

Azerbaijan`s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Azerbaijani ambassador to Egypt Elkhan Polukhov were also present at the summit.