Abu dhabi: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a significant visit to Abu Dhabi.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the discussions between the two leaders highlighted the strategic partnership that forms the foundation of Azerbaijan-UAE bilateral relations.

The meeting focused on the expanding cooperation between the countries in various sectors, such as political, economic, energy-including renewable energy-cultural, and humanitarian fields. The presidents emphasized the importance of reciprocal visits and meetings to enhance relations further.

A key topic was the 'Peace Shield - 2026' joint operational-tactical exercise between the Azerbaijani and UAE armed forces, held in Abu Dhabi. The leaders expressed confidence that these exercises would enhance military interoperability and stressed the importance of continuing such collaborations.

In a notable development, a document was signed in the presence of both presidents, detailing the sale of a portion of the non-controlling stake held by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Economy in Southern Gas Corridor CJSC to XRG, an investment arm of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). This agreement is expected to fortify economic ties between the nations.

Additionally, a Letter of Intent on defense cooperation was signed between the defense ministries of Azerbaijan and the UAE, signaling a commitment to strengthening defense relations. Both presidents expressed optimism that these agreements would further enhance bilateral ties.

The meeting also explored the potential for establishing twinning relations between the cities of Baku and Abu Dhabi, underscoring the commitment to fostering closer ties between the two nations.