site.btaBulgarian President Ends Visit to Azerbaijan

Baku/Sofia, October 14 (BTA) - Bulgarian President Rumen Radev ended Saturday his official visit to Azerbaijan /October 13-14/ at the invitation of Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev. At the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, decorated with the state flags of the two countries, the Bulgarian president and his spouse were seen off by Azerbaijani First Deputy Prime Minister Ali Ahmadov, Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov and other officials.

The two Presidents had a one-to-one meeting Friday followed by plenary talks of the official delegations. On the agenda of talks were bilateral political dialogue, trade and economic cooperation and partnership in education, science and culture, cooperation in the energy sector and transport, as well as issues from the international agenda, including global security and migration.

Radev vowed support for the Southern Gas Corridor projects as they will help diversify gas supply to Central and Eastern Europe. The two state leaders also promised that steps will be taken to further enhance bilateral cooperation, especially in the economy where much untapped opportunity is seen.

At a news conference, Aliyev said he had instructed his country's flag carrier to make arrangements for starting a direct service between Baku and Sofia. Preparation has already started and is expected to be completed soon, he added saying that it is "an excellent result from the visit of the Bulgarian President". Aliyev also called Bulgaria "a close partner and friend".

President Radev said that the two countries have gone ahead with tangible steps for deepening bilateral cooperation. He said that Bulgaria can capitalize on the interest of Azerbaijan in developing its agriculture and introducing new technologies, especially in the processing industry.

Radev and his wife Desislava Radeva laid a wreath at the tomb of national leader, founder and architect of modern Azerbaijani state Heydar Aliyev.