Baku, September 24, AZERTAC

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has accepted credentials of the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic Zacharie Gross.

Ambassador Zacharie Gross reviewed a guard of honor.

Zacharie Gross presented his credentials to President Ilham Aliyev.

Speaking with the Ambassador, President Ilham Aliyev said:

- I wish you a pleasant stay in Azerbaijan. Given the scope of our cooperation, which has a long and very successful history and great potential, I hope that you will have a meaningful agenda. Of course, you are well aware of the stages of the development of our cooperation. You know that Azerbaijan always perceives France as one of the most important partner countries of the world. All of my numerous visits to Paris and meetings with President Chirac, President Sarkozy and President Hollande, as well as with President Macron last year and with other senior officials played a very important role in the development of our cooperation. It is no coincidence that French companies have implemented many important projects in Azerbaijan. I recall that during President Hollande's visit, we signed contracts worth several billion dollars. Some of them have already been implemented, while others are awaiting implementation. French companies are widely represented here. Of course, you are aware of my numerous meetings with MEDEF. This meeting was last held here in Baku. We met both in France and here. There is great mutual interest and good results. I believe that we have established strong cooperation in this area, which has great prospects. Of course, our political relations also play an important role in the development of cooperation between companies and relations in the economic sphere. My meeting with President Macron last year was very important in terms of determining plans for our future cooperation. This meeting played an important role in the development of today's partnership. Of course, Minister Le Maire's visit was also very successful. We are also cooperating on the issue of resolving the conflict and we know in what phase the negotiations are. Of course, your country plays an important role in the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union. President Tusk's visit in July was also very successful. Thus, our cooperation has a very extensive agenda. I am sure that you will have a lot of work to do, and I hope that the positive dynamics of our current ties will continue during your work.

Ambassador Zacharie Gross said:

-Thank you. I convey the most sincere greetings of President Macron to you. I am very glad to be here in your beautiful and successfully developing city. As you have already noted, we have established strong bilateral relations, and your personal contribution to this is very important for us. Security issues matter a lot. The security of Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus is very important for the security of Europe. Amid tensions in the region - on the Iranian issue, President Macron is making efforts to reduce tensions. Of course, France, as a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, wishes a peaceful settlement of the conflict within the framework of the principle of respect for the territorial integrity of your country, and intends to be active in this area. We hope to continue the political dialogue between our countries. As you noted, cooperation in the economic, energy, transport, and security fields is very important for us.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the greetings of President Emmanuel Macron and asked Zacharie Gross to convey his greetings to the President of the French Republic.