BAKU: President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan met with President Taye Atske Selassie of Ethiopia to explore avenues for strengthening bilateral relations. The meeting took place on November 14, focusing on collaboration across various sectors.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, President Taye Atske Selassie delivered greetings from Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, which President Aliyev graciously received, expressing his intent to reciprocate the regards. The Ethiopian leader appreciated the organization of COP29 and praised President Aliyev’s speech at the event. He highlighted the potential application of Azerbaijan’s ‘ASAN Khidmet’ model in Ethiopia and mentioned a memorandum of understanding signed between relevant agencies of both countries.

The meeting further delved into Ethiopia’s interest in Azerbaijan’s expertise in free trade zones and potential cooperation in tourism, agriculture, and investments. President Aliyev emphasized the significance of solidarity among developing nations and ex
pressed readiness to support Ethiopia with the ‘ASAN Khidmet’ initiative.

The leaders also discussed the importance of cooperation within international organizations, renewable energy, and proposed the establishment of an intergovernmental commission on economic issues. President Taye Atske Selassie invited President Aliyev for an official visit to Ethiopia, with President Aliyev extending a reciprocal invitation to Ethiopian leaders to visit Azerbaijan.