AZE.US
President Ilham Aliyev on April 14 received the credentials of the newly appointed extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors of Somalia, Colombia and the Kingdom of Eswatini to Azerbaijan.
Aliyev first received Somalia’s new ambassador to Azerbaijan, Abdinur Dahir Fidow, who conveyed greetings from Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The Azerbaijani president thanked him and asked that his own greetings be passed on in return.
During the meeting, Aliyev recalled the Somali president’s official visit to Azerbaijan last year, saying it had opened a new chapter in bilateral relations. He noted that productive discussions had been held during that visit on expanding ties and that several documents had been signed to broaden cooperation.
The Azerbaijani leader said the two countries enjoyed good political relations and stressed the importance of expanding economic cooperation. The sides also noted successful engagement in both bilateral and multilateral formats, including within international organizations.
Particular attention was given to the introduction of the ASAN Service model in Somalia. The sides said work in that direction was continuing under a document signed during the Somali president’s official visit to Azerbaijan. They also discussed cooperation in science and education, noting that many Somali students had studied in Azerbaijan during the Soviet period and that this tradition continues today, including through the Heydar Aliyev scholarship program.
Aliyev then received Colombia’s new ambassador to Azerbaijan, Nelsy Raquel Munar Jaramillo. He said that despite the geographic distance between the two countries, Azerbaijani-Colombian relations had developed at a good level. He also underlined the importance of deepening cooperation in the economy, investment, tourism and other areas.
Munar Jaramillo, who said it was an honor to become Colombia’s first female ambassador to Azerbaijan, said she would work to strengthen political dialogue, reinforce ties and identify new opportunities for cooperation.
She also said Colombia had organized Spanish-language courses in Azerbaijan to promote the language, adding that Azerbaijani students and professionals were actively participating in the program.
The sides recalled that Azerbaijan and Colombia signed a memorandum of understanding last year on implementing the ASAN Service model in Colombia. They also exchanged views on expanding cooperation in agriculture, mine clearance, education, culture and other fields. The meeting also highlighted successful cooperation within international organizations, with both countries supporting each other at the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and other multilateral platforms.
Later, Aliyev received the new ambassador of the Kingdom of Eswatini, Sibusisiwe Mngomezulu, who conveyed greetings from King Mswati III. Aliyev thanked her and asked that his greetings be passed on to the king.
The Azerbaijani president recalled King Mswati III’s visit to Baku for the 2019 Non-Aligned Movement summit and said he hoped the monarch would return next month to attend a session of the World Urban Forum in Baku.
Aliyev expressed satisfaction with the level of political dialogue between Azerbaijan and Eswatini and said there was strong potential to expand cooperation in other areas. In turn, the ambassador congratulated Azerbaijan on restoring its territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as on its economic progress. She also praised Aliyev’s diplomatic efforts and role in advancing peace in the region.
The two sides noted mutual support within international organizations and discussed potential cooperation in energy, science, education, humanitarian affairs, tourism, environmental protection, culture and other sectors. They also stressed the importance of increasing reciprocal visits at various levels to move those contacts forward.