Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC), met with Ali Asadov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, during his official visit to Baku. The meeting took place at the Cabinet headquarters and formed part of Ghobash’s participation in the International Parliamentary Conference marking the 30th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s Constitution.
The visit reflects the commitment of both countries to enhancing strategic cooperation and friendship, building on years of close diplomatic relations guided by their leaderships.
Prime Minister Asadov warmly welcomed Ghobash and the accompanying UAE delegation. He expressed Azerbaijan’s keenness to expand its partnership with the UAE, describing the relationship as a model of mutual respect and cooperation.
Asadov praised the UAE’s leading role regionally and globally in promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development. He emphasized that both countries share common values of innovation, tolerance, and forward-thinking policies.
The Azerbaijani leader noted that cooperation in economic, investment, renewable energy, education, and innovation sectors continues to grow, helping to strengthen the foundations of the long-term partnership.
For his part, Saqr Ghobash expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome extended by Prime Minister Asadov. He conveyed greetings from President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his best wishes for continued prosperity and success for Azerbaijan and its people.
Ghobash highlighted that UAE-Azerbaijan relations have entered an advanced phase of comprehensive strategic partnership. He noted that both leaderships share a common vision focused on economic growth, innovation, and mutual development across several fields.
Ghobash recalled the official visit of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Azerbaijan in September 2025, describing it as a historic milestone in bilateral relations. During that visit, both nations announced the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement, which paved the way for new opportunities in trade, investment, and cultural cooperation.
He added that this partnership reflects both nations’ shared desire to strengthen their collaboration and build lasting economic and political ties that benefit their peoples and the wider region.
During the meeting, Ghobash reaffirmed the UAE’s strong support for Azerbaijan’s upcoming role as host of the 16th Islamic Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in 2026. He praised Azerbaijan’s active role in promoting unity among Islamic nations and its efforts to advance joint Islamic initiatives.
This, he said, aligns with the UAE’s own commitment to supporting peace, dialogue, and cooperation within the Islamic world.
Ghobash underlined the significance of enhancing economic and investment cooperation between the UAE and Azerbaijan. He highlighted that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between the two countries has already delivered impressive results.
According to Ghobash, non-oil trade between the UAE and Azerbaijan reached around US$2.4 billion in 2024, representing a 43 percent increase compared to 2023. This growth, he said, reflects the depth of bilateral economic ties and the potential for future expansion in trade, tourism, renewable energy, and technology.
Both leaders discussed ways to attract more investments and facilitate business opportunities through joint projects and innovation-driven ventures, further strengthening the long-standing economic bridge between the two nations.
The discussions also focused on expanding collaboration in renewable energy, education, and innovation—key sectors that form the backbone of both nations’ development strategies.
The UAE’s expertise in clean energy, through entities such as Masdar, and Azerbaijan’s growing interest in renewable projects present mutual opportunities for cooperation. Both sides agreed that innovation and knowledge-sharing are essential for achieving long-term sustainability and creating new jobs for their youth.
The meeting between Ghobash and Asadov reflected the strong mutual understanding and shared commitment to peace, stability, and development. Both sides reiterated the importance of political dialogue and parliamentary cooperation as tools to enhance relations between their governments and peoples.
They also emphasized the role of international collaboration in addressing common global challenges, including climate change, economic transformation, and digital transition.
Ghobash’s visit to Baku, on the sidelines of the International Parliamentary Conference, further underscored the UAE’s belief in the value of parliamentary diplomacy. By engaging in international forums, the FNC helps build stronger ties with legislative institutions around the world.
The UAE delegation’s participation in the event reflects the country’s commitment to constructive dialogue, mutual respect, and international cooperation as foundations for global stability and prosperity.
The meeting concluded with both leaders reaffirming their intent to expand bilateral cooperation in the years ahead. They expressed optimism that the UAE-Azerbaijan partnership will continue to grow, driven by their shared vision and the strategic agreements already in place.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of people-to-people connections, cultural exchange, and youth engagement in building a sustainable and inclusive partnership.
The meeting was attended by Mohammed Murad Alblooshi, UAE Ambassador to Azerbaijan, and several senior officials from both sides, reflecting the depth and seriousness of the discussions.
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