First official Afghan visit

Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Vilayat Quliyev received an Afghan delegation led by First Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammed Rahim Shirzoyu on Friday. Speaking of the fact-finding visit of the Afghan mission, Mr. Quliyev said the development of further bilateral relations is of great importance for the two countries. The Azerbaijani diplomat also stressed the necessity of continuing the cooperation on mutual benefits within the framework of the Islamic Conference Organization (ICO), the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and other international entities.

Mr. Quliyev updated the Afghan diplomat on the socio-political situation in the country, democratic reforms conducted, work done on the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Upper Qarabag, and the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group in this direction.

Mr. Shirzoyu, on his own part, voiced pleasure with his first-hand visit to Azerbaijan, underlining that such visits are of great significance to further bilateral relations. Touching upon the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Upper Qarabag, The Afghan diplomat expressed his hope for its peaceable settlement on the basis of just principles.