ForMin Melescanu welcomes Azeri Deputy ForMin Khalafov for consultations

Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu welcomed Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Khalaf Khalafov, in Bucharest, on Tuesday, for a round of consultations at the invitation of the Romanian side. The meeting highlighted the importance of the strategic bilateral partnership.

According to a press statement released by the Romanian Foreign Ministry (MAE), Melescanu voiced satisfaction over the excellent relations between Romania and Azerbaijan, mentioning the significance of this year's centennials both in Romania and Azerbaijan.

He also highlighted the importance of the strategic bilateral partnership with Azerbaijan and the need to boost the political dialogue and the Romanian-Azeri co-operation in all areas.

The Azeri dignitary also had consultations with the Secretary of State for Regional Affairs with MAE Dan Neculaescu, discussing the recent developments in and prospects for bilateral relations, focusing on political contacts and ways of boosting economic co-operation, Azerbaijan's relations with the EU and NATO, regional affairs of interest and multilateral co-operation, with emphasis on UN issues.

Neculaescu underlined the need to develop connectivity between Romania and Azerbaijan, advocating for capitalising on opportunities for regional co-operation. He highlighted the interest in the implementation of the Black Sea-Caspian Sea Shipping Corridor project and reiterated the importance of intensifying bilateral co-operation in energy projects, also pointing to the need to organise the fifth session of the Romania-Azerbaijan Joint Intergovernmental Commission for Economic and Technical Co-operation.

At the same time, the two sides agreed to intensify co-operation between the foreign ministries, both by continuing the format of state secretary/deputy minister's consultations, and by conducting sectoral consultations on topics of shared interest.

Khalafov seconded the assessments of the excellent level of bilateral relations under the strategic partnership between Romania and Azerbaijan. He expressed his appreciation for the support of the Romanian side regarding the development of Azerbaijan's relations with the EU and NATO and also pointed out the importance of extending the practical side of the bilateral co-operation.

The two sides also reviewed the recent regional developments, with emphasis on security challenges in the wider Black Sea and Caspian regions. AGERPRES (RO - author: Antonia Nita, editor: Mirela Barbulescu; EN - author: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu, editor: Adina Panaitescu)