Aliyev And Zelensky Discuss Energy, Defense And Ukraine Talks In Gabala

by

AZE.US

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks in Gabala on Saturday during Zelensky’s working visit to Azerbaijan, with the two leaders discussing energy cooperation, defense industry ties, humanitarian support and possible diplomatic tracks on the war in Ukraine.

The meeting was held first one-on-one and then in an expanded format with delegations. Speaking after the talks, Aliyev said Azerbaijan and Ukraine have a strong political foundation for cooperation, pointing to strategic partnership documents signed in Kyiv in 2008 and in Baku in 2011.

Those documents, Aliyev said, reflected mutual support for territorial integrity, sovereignty and the inviolability of borders.

He said Azerbaijan and Ukraine support each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in international organizations and will continue to do so.

Aliyev also noted that the two presidents have met seven times over the past four years, including a meeting two months ago in Munich. He said the frequency of contacts showed the dynamic nature of bilateral relations.

Energy was one of the central issues discussed in Gabala. Aliyev said SOCAR has operated successfully in Ukraine for many years and that the two countries see prospects for new joint projects and investment. He said bilateral trade has exceeded $500 million, adding that there is room for further growth.

The two sides also discussed military-technical cooperation. Aliyev said both Azerbaijan and Ukraine are developing their defense industries and that there are strong opportunities for joint production, not only in the defense sector but in broader industrial cooperation as well.

Zelensky said six documents were signed during the visit and described security as the top area of cooperation. He said Ukraine, drawing on its wartime experience, is ready to share its expertise with Azerbaijan.

Ukrainian specialists are already in Azerbaijan and are supporting their Azerbaijani counterparts, Zelensky said, adding that the two countries plan to continue the partnership and move toward joint production.

Zelensky thanked Azerbaijan for its support during a difficult winter, saying Ukraine had received 11 aid packages from Azerbaijan. He also thanked Aliyev for support provided to Ukrainian children from frontline areas. More than 500 Ukrainian children affected by the war have been hosted in Azerbaijan as part of humanitarian programs.

The Ukrainian president also said Kyiv would be ready to hold talks in Azerbaijan if Russia chooses diplomacy.

He recalled that some talks had previously taken place in Turkey and later in Geneva with the participation of American partners.

Zelensky said Ukraine would also like to conduct negotiations in Azerbaijan, provided the Russian side is prepared to pursue that diplomatic path.

The leaders also discussed agriculture, the work of the intergovernmental commission and humanitarian projects. A group of Ukrainian students is expected to visit Azerbaijan soon for rehabilitation and to learn more about the country’s culture and arts.

AZE.US