Azerbaijan and Canada Hold First Round of Political Consultations in Baku
Baku, The Gulf Observer: The first round of political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Global Affairs Canada took place in Baku on June 10.
The Azerbaijani delegation was led by Esmira Jafarova, Head of the American Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Canadian side was headed by Andreas Weichert, Executive Director of the East Europe and Eurasia Division at Global Affairs Canada.
The consultations focused on advancing political relations between the two countries. Both parties exchanged views on ways to deepen diplomatic ties, emphasizing the importance of reciprocal high-level visits and continued engagement within international platforms to sustain political dialogue. The importance of avoiding steps that could cause tension in bilateral relations was also underscored.
On the economic front, the two sides discussed prospects for expanding bilateral trade and exploring joint projects in energy, transport, and high technologies. Special emphasis was placed on the positive cooperation between Azerbaijan and Canada in the context of COP29, as well as Azerbaijan’s strategic role in initiating and actively participating in key regional energy and logistics projects.
Further discussions touched on cooperation in education, culture, and tourism, with both sides acknowledging the potential of these sectors to foster stronger people-to-people ties and cultural understanding.
The meeting included a comprehensive briefing on regional developments in the post-conflict period. The Azerbaijani side provided updates on the Armenia-Azerbaijan normalization process, existing challenges, and steps taken to secure long-term peace in the South Caucasus. The Canadian delegation was also informed about the scale of the landmine issue in the liberated territories and the extensive reconstruction and development efforts underway.
The consultations concluded with an exchange of views on a range of regional and international issues of mutual concern, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to constructive dialogue and continued cooperation.
