Baku: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics delivered press statements on April 22, APA reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, both presidents highlighted the significance of their strategic partnership and explored various avenues for enhancing bilateral relations. President Aliyev expressed his pleasure in hosting President Rinkevics on his first official visit to Azerbaijan as President. He emphasized that their discussions focused on strengthening the already solid framework for cooperation between the two countries, particularly following the Declaration on a Strategic Partnership signed nine years ago.

President Aliyev noted the recent meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission in Shusha, which laid out promising plans for collaboration. He also highlighted the potential of the ongoing business forum as a platform for increasing mutual investments and trade. The president underscored the importance of direct flight connections and people-to-people contacts, mentioning that over 450 Azerbaijani students are currently studying in Latvia.

In his statement, President Rinkevics expressed gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality extended by Azerbaijan. He reiterated the commitment to the strategic partnership established in 2017 and expressed optimism about the outcomes of the business forum. President Rinkevics identified opportunities for enhancing economic cooperation in sectors like defense, transportation, and pharmaceuticals. He also emphasized Latvia's experience in forestry management as a valuable resource for Azerbaijan's forest expansion plans.

President Rinkevics congratulated Azerbaijan on the peace treaty initialed with Armenia and expressed support for the ongoing process. He also highlighted the importance of Azerbaijan's role in the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and energy sector, as well as the potential benefits of visa liberalization between Azerbaijan and the European Union.

Both leaders discussed regional developments and expressed mutual support. President Rinkevics conveyed Latvia's solidarity with Azerbaijan concerning recent drone attacks and commended Azerbaijan's humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. He invited President Aliyev to visit Riga, noting the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two nations.