PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV RECEIVES AMBASSADORS OF MUSLIM COUNTRIES
The President congratulated the Ambassadors on the Ramadan, and asked them to convey his congratulations to the heads of their states and governments. “This holiday has been widely celebrated in Azerbaijan at all times, and is very dear to every Azerbaijani,” he said.
“Today, Azerbaijan is living as an independent state, and we have very active relations with Islamic countries. This direction has always been a focus of foreign policy of Azerbaijan as an active member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference,” the President continued.
President Aliyev described Azerbaijan’s bilateral relations with Islamic countries as very successful and important. “Our cooperation, joint efforts are very important for development of bilateral relations, have a strong impact on the processes taking place in the region,” he said.
The Head of State also mentioned the importance of Islamic countries’ support of Azerbaijan in its conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh. “I would like to thank you and the whole Muslim world for that support,” the President said.
“All the Muslim countries should be a support to each other, if needed. The Islamic unity is playing its role in strengthening of any country, and I am sure that the fraternal and friendly relations between us will be even stronger in the future,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the ambassadors representing Muslim countries in Azerbaijan was Andar Shukputov, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of Kazakhstan.
He congratulated President Ilham Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan on Holy Ramadan.
“The course followed by you helps ensure development of the country’s economy and enhancement of its international prestige. Your active and balanced policy is supported in the international arena, as well,” Andar Shukputov said.
“Azerbaijan has won the deserved respect of the Muslim world, the vivid evidence of which is that the country this year is hosting a number of important events of the Organization of the Islamic Conference,” he said.
The Ambassador congratulated President Aliyev on Azerbaijan’s presidency of this authoritative international organization of Muslim countries with total population of nearly 2 billion people.
He noted that the documents adopted at the 33rd Islamic conference of foreign ministers and the 5th Islamic conference of the tourism ministers held this year in Baku “furthered consolidation of joint efforts by the Muslim Ummah towards maintenance of peace and stability on our planet.”
“Regional cooperation was also fostered by the 9th Summit of Heads of State and Governments of the Economic Cooperation Organization which, as is known, includes 10 Muslim states,” Ambassador Shukputov said.
Touching upon the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem, he expressed hope that the long-lasting conflict would be settled by diplomatic way, in accordance with international norms and in the framework of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. “Islamic countries have always supported Azerbaijan’s position, and we are convinced that this will be further continued,” he said.