Rome: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had a working lunch with Italian President Sergio Mattarella on September 5 at the Quirinale Palace in Rome, where the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and regional issues, APA reports. The meeting further strengthened the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Italy, especially in energy and trade cooperation.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Mattarella praised the Joint Declaration on strategic partnership signed during Aliyev’s 2020 state visit to Italy. The discussions touched on several topics, including the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), a key element in Italy’s and Europe’s energy security, and the Italy-Azerbaijan University project, which both leaders viewed as vital for fostering educational and cultural ties.

Mattarella congratulated Azerbaijan on hosting COP29, affirming Italy’s high-level participation and commitment to supporting the event. The leaders also addressed regional peace, with Aliyev emphasizing Azerbaijan’s progress in border delimitation and the country’s efforts to negotiate a peace treaty with Armenia.

President Aliyev invited Mattarella for an official visit to Azerbaijan, which the Italian President accepted with gratitude.