Baku:Jeyhun Bayramov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, recently held a meeting with Katsuya Watanabe, Japan's outgoing ambassador to the country. The discussions centered on the current status and future prospects of the relations between Azerbaijan and Japan.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, both parties praised Ambassador Watanabe for his significant contributions to strengthening the bilateral ties during his tenure. They expressed the importance of maintaining political dialogue and enhancing cooperation in economic, trade, and energy sectors.

The discussions also highlighted Azerbaijan's role in hosting major international events such as the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), and the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25). These events underscore Azerbaijan’s commitment to fostering international cooperation and addressing global challenges.

Additionally, the officials reviewed their cooperation within international organizations, emphasizing mutual support and dialogue on multilateral platforms. They stressed the significance of expanding people-to-people contacts and strengthening ties in education, culture, and sports.

Particularly noteworthy was the mention of Azerbaijan's unilateral visa-free regime for Japanese nationals, which is expected to boost bilateral relations and tourism. The meeting also explored opportunities to enhance mutual understanding and cultural connections through sports, notably judo and sumo, and emphasized the importance of hosting related major events in Azerbaijan.

Minister Bayramov expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Watanabe for his efforts and wished him success in his future endeavors. The meeting concluded with discussions on other topics of mutual interest.