Banjul: The first round of political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Gambia took place in Banjul, the capital of the Gambia, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to APA.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, prior to the consultations, the Azerbaijani delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev, met with Alieu Loum, Chief of Staff at the Office of the President of the Gambia. During the meeting, both sides highlighted the friendly relations established between Azerbaijan and the Gambia, which are rooted in mutual respect and solidarity. They underscored the significance of enhancing existing cooperation in areas of mutual interest and identifying new areas for collaboration.
The discussions acknowledged that the first round of political consultations serves as a crucial platform for strengthening diplomatic ties and exploring new cooperation opportunities. The consultations were co-chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev and Ambassador Lang Yabou, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Head of the Ministry's Diplomatic Service.
The talks emphasized the importance of utilizing existing opportunities more effectively for the development of bilateral relations. The parties agreed to take appropriate steps to collaborate in areas such as the economy, trade, education, tourism, energy, and combating climate change. Azerbaijan's contributions to the development of human capital in the Gambia and its successful implementation of humanitarian projects were acknowledged, with interest expressed in continuing efforts in this field.
Both parties appreciated cooperation within multilateral platforms, including the UN, the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and stressed the need to further expand relations. Additionally, the Azerbaijani delegation met with the Mayor of Banjul, Rohey Malick Lowe, to discuss issues related to the World Urban Forum (WUF) to be hosted by Azerbaijan, as well as potential areas of cooperation in the humanitarian field.