On May 17, President Ilham Aliyev met with the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Iliana Iotova, to discuss the expanding bilateral relations between the two nations.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the Bulgarian President recalled with satisfaction her previous meeting and discussions with the Azerbaijani President held on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in February of this year.
President Iliana Iotova described the hosting of the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum in Azerbaijan as a significant event, particularly given the current global climate of wars and conflicts. She emphasized that Bulgaria is represented at the event by the head of state, leaders of more than 10 different municipalities, and the mayor of Veliko Tarnovo, which is a sister city to Shusha. The guest congratulated Azerbaijan on organizing the forum, noting it serves as a vital platform for discussing pressing global urban development issues. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the congratulations.
During the meeting, President Iotova highlighted the importance of energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria, specifically noting the significance of the "Solidarity Ring" project. Touching upon cultural and humanitarian ties, she praised the teaching of the Bulgarian language in Azerbaijan. She also noted the humanitarian projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Bulgaria, the sister-city relationship between Veliko Tarnovo and Shusha, and the establishment of a Shusha park there. President Iotova further expressed gratitude for the Heydar Aliyev Foundation's support in restoring the "Trapezitsa" Architectural Museum Reserve in Bulgaria.
The meeting underscored that effective cooperation between the two countries is strengthening based on mutual respect and trust. The sides discussed prospects for relations in energy, electricity export, agriculture, tourism, and other sectors, as well as cooperation within international organizations. The "Solidarity Ring" (STRING) initiative, mentioned during the talks, is a key European project designed to upgrade the gas transmission systems of Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia to facilitate additional gas supplies from Azerbaijan to Europe, further cementing Azerbaijan's role as a reliable energy partner for the European Union.
