The first official visit of the President of Iraq to Azerbaijan in the history of diplomatic relations
The history of Azerbaijan’s friendship with Iraq is ancient. Back in 1979, a document was signed on the twinning of Baku and Basra. Besides, on October 21, 1994, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Ministries of Culture and Information of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Iraq in Baghdad. Cultural and artistic figures of Azerbaijan take part in Babylonian festivals held in Iraq. The Iraqi side has always expressed its interest in expanding cooperation with Azerbaijan in the fields of agriculture, oil industry, education and religion.
I would like to remind that back in 2002, the Azerbaijani side presented the draft agreement on economy, trade, science and technical cooperation between the countries to the embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Baku.
Azerbaijan attaches special importance to relations with Iraq, which has become the most important factor in the Middle East and world politics in recent years. Iraq recognized Azerbaijan’s independence on January 2, 1992, and diplomatic relations between our countries were established in March of that year. Iraq’s diplomatic representation in Azerbaijan operated for many years at the level of the Consulate General during the Soviet regime and was elevated to the status of an embassy in 1992. Azerbaijan’s relations with Iraq covered the fields of science, education, and culture, and political relations were carried out within the framework of the Iraqi embassy operating in Baku, the UN, and ICT.
In short, until now, Azerbaijan and Iraq have cooperated closely on various international platforms. In particular, both countries have always established close contacts in the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and have supported each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In the meantime, there are great opportunities and potential in the field of expanding Azerbaijan-Iraq relations. In the near future, Iraq may be one of the priority areas in Azerbaijan’s foreign policy. The above factor is based not only on economic potential, but also on shared values. Even in the years before the Patriotic War, Iraq’s support of Azerbaijan’s position by international organizations, especially within the framework of ICT, in the elimination of the military aggression of the Republic of Armenia against the Republic of Azerbaijan, in the adoption of resolutions demanding the liberation of occupied territories and the return of refugees to their native lands, is one of the important factors in international politics. and had a strong influence on the formation of public opinion in the Islamic world, including Arab states. It is a good thing that currently both Azerbaijan and Iraq are showing great interest in expanding mutual relations on a historical basis.
From this point of view, the visit of the President of the Republic of Iraq Abdullatif Jamal Rashid to Azerbaijan on November 19 is also important. On November 20, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev had a one-on-one meeting with the President of the Republic of Iraq Abdullatif Jamal Rashid, and a number of documents were signed between Azerbaijan and Iraq. In his speech, President Ilham Aliyev called the first visit of the President of Iraq to Azerbaijan in the history of diplomatic relations between our countries a historical visit and expressed confidence that this visit will contribute to the strengthening of friendly relations between our countries and open a new chapter in our cooperation.
The successful foreign policy implemented by President Mr. Ilham Aliyev is gradually increasing the reputation of Azerbaijan in the world community. In particular, after our historical Victory over Armenia, the position of our country on the world scale has been strengthened and its rating has risen. In recent years, the number of countries willing to cooperate with Azerbaijan has increased significantly. As I mentioned above, the visit of the President of the Republic of Iraq, Abdullatif Jamal Rashid, to Azerbaijan a few days ago is another indicator of the growing influence of our country in the international world. I should also note that this is the first official visit of the President of Iraq to Azerbaijan in the history of diplomatic relations. We believe that this visit will contribute to further strengthening of friendly relations between our countries and will open a new chapter in our cooperation.
Iman ABDUYEV, political scientist