Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, Hikmat Hajiyev, held a series of high-level meetings on July 13 within the framework of the IV Shusha Global Media Forum. The discussions centered on deepening media cooperation and bilateral relations with representatives from Syria, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, Hajiyev met with the Syrian Minister of Information, Khaled Fawaz Zaarour, and Deputy Minister for Digital Media Affairs, Mohammad Tafran. The parties expressed satisfaction with the successful development of bilateral relations, highlighting the pivotal role of high-level leadership meetings and the Syrian President's visit to Azerbaijan. Hajiyev extended an invitation to the Syrian minister to attend an upcoming meeting of information ministers from Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states, which will be hosted by Azerbaijan in the context of its upcoming chairmanship of the organization.
In a separate meeting, Hajiyev engaged with the First Deputy Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan, Kanat Iskakov, and Nurlan Bertisov, a department head at the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information. The discussions emphasized the allied nature of Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan relations. Key topics included strengthening coordination within the Organization of Turkic States, developing joint information content, and combating disinformation. The parties also explored the possibility of reciprocal broadcasting of Azerbaijani and Kazakh television channels.
Furthermore, Hajiyev met with a delegation from Uzbekistan, including Kobuljon Akhmedov, Director of the Center for Content Production for Mass Media under the Presidential Administration of Uzbekistan, alongside other senior officials. The meeting underscored the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, driven by the strong trust between the two nations' leaders. Discussions focused on expanding media collaboration, implementing joint grant projects for non-governmental organizations, and fostering direct connections between bloggers to promote shared history and cultural values internationally.
The Shusha Global Media Forum, which serves as a platform for international dialogue, was highly praised by all visiting delegations. Representatives specifically commended President Ilham Aliyev for his direct and open engagement with journalists during the forum, noting the significance of his detailed responses to media inquiries.
