Azerbaijan-Egypt relations developed on the basis of ancient historical roots. Inter-ethnic relations have been established between the two friendly countries with a common culture since the Middle Ages. These relations, which were preserved even during the former Soviet period, were further strengthened during the years of independence.
Mutual visits of the highest level make an important contribution to the expansion of the international relations of the Azerbaijan state. One of the main directions in Azerbaijan’s multifaceted foreign policy is relations with Arab states. Among the Islamic countries, which is an important factor in the foreign policy course of Azerbaijan as an independent state, Egypt occupies one of the main places. The Arab Republic of Egypt, which has always defended our republic on the issue of the territorial integrity of our country, supported Azerbaijan’s rightful position during the Victory War in the Second Karabakh War and after that. Azerbaijan has always won the support of official Cairo in the Organization of the Islamic Conference and other international organizations. In addition to political and cultural relations, economic relations between Azerbaijan and Egypt have been at a high level in recent years.
In 1994, National Leader Heydar Aliyev met with the President of Egypt while on a business trip to Cairo to participate in the UN International Conference on Population and Development. At this meeting of the presidents, very important issues were discussed in the direction of defining new perspectives of Azerbaijan-Egypt relations. Days of Egyptian Culture were held in Egypt on November 6-13, 2005, and in Azerbaijan on November 20-28, 2006, as a result of the policy implemented by Great Leader Heydar Aliyev to develop relations.
The official visit of the head of the country Mr. Ilham Aliyev to Egypt, which took place successfully these days, opens a new page in the development of relations between our countries. The purpose of the visit is to contribute to the further development of high-level relations between our countries and strengthening of cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The agenda of the trip was quite extensive. A number of important meetings were held. New documents have been signed. Trade turnover has increased several times. Signed documents and agreements will increase trade turnover. First of all, it will be possible to achieve good results in the fields of energy, production of renewable energy types, oil industry, pharmaceutical, aluminum industry and other fields.
In his speech, President Mr. Ilham Aliyev noted that there is no difference of opinion between the countries in the direction of international issues, and during the discussion of international issues, it became clear that the thinkers agree on all international issues. Both countries actively cooperate within the framework of international organizations, including the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and with the support of Egypt, Azerbaijan chaired the Non-Aligned Movement for four years.
The Head of States said: “Regulation of Palestinian-Israeli relations and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State were always in the center of attention during our chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, many events were held, and Azerbaijan’s position is clear – an independent Palestinian State must be established, and East Jerusalem should be its capital.”
Today, Azerbaijan-Egypt relations have entered a new stage of development and this meets the national interests of both nations. There is great potential for the development of relations between the two countries, and mutual visits create important opportunities for the rapid expansion of cooperation. In this regard, the official visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Egypt will make new contributions to the deepening of cooperation between our countries.
Azerbaijan-Egypt documents signed on June 8, 2024:
“Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Arab Republic of Egypt on cooperation in the fields of youth and sports”;
“Memorandum of understanding on friendship and cooperation between the Baku City Executive Authority of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Cairo Governorate of the Arab Republic of Egypt”;
“Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy of the Arab Republic of Egypt on cooperation in the fields of electricity and renewable energy”;
“Joint Action Plan for 2024-2025 between the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AZPROMO) and the General Authority for Capital and Free Zones of the Arab Republic of Egypt (GAFI)”;
“Protocol of Intent on cooperation between the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Oil and Mineral Resources of the Arab Republic of Egypt”;
“Memorandum of Understanding on the exchange of experience between the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of International Cooperation of the Arab Republic of Egypt”;
“Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of information and communication technologies between the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies of the Arab Republic of Egypt”.
Natavan ASADOVA,
PhD in Mathematics