Banjul: The first round of political consultations took place between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Gambia in Banjul, the capital of the Gambia. The Azerbaijani delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev, who met with Alieu Loum, Chief of Staff at the Office of the President of the Gambia, prior to the consultations.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the discussions underscored the friendly relations between Azerbaijan and the Gambia, rooted in mutual respect and solidarity. Both parties highlighted the significance of enhancing existing cooperation in shared areas of interest while identifying new avenues for collaboration. The consultations were seen as a crucial platform for strengthening diplomatic ties and exploring fresh opportunities for cooperation.
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, who also heads the Ministry's Diplomatic Service. The discussions focused on making more effective use of current opportunities for bilateral relations development and taking steps to cooperate in fields such as the economy, trade, education, tourism, energy, and climate change mitigation.
Azerbaijan's efforts in developing human capital in the Gambia and successfully implementing humanitarian projects were acknowledged, with both sides expressing interest in continuing these efforts. The parties also praised the cooperation within multilateral platforms, including the UN, the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), emphasizing the need to further expand relations.
Additionally, the Azerbaijani delegation met with the Mayor of Banjul, Rohey Malick Lowe, to discuss issues concerning the World Urban Forum (WUF) to be hosted by Azerbaijan, as well as potential areas for cooperation in the humanitarian sector.