The Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Morocco, Nazim Samadov, reaffirmed his country’s principled support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara and the Kingdom’s territorial integrity as well as the United Nations’ efforts to resolve this issue.
In an interview with MAP on the occasion of Wednesday’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the independent Azerbaijani state, Heydar Aliyev, Samadov stressed that his country supports “the efforts of the UN and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General to achieve a lasting and equitable solution to the Sahara issue, based on the relevant UN security recommendations, the Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2654, especially when it refers to the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco, and the serious and credible Moroccan efforts to advance the process towards a resolution. “Azerbaijan hopes that the Sahara issue will be resolved one day for the prosperity and happiness of the people of the region,” he added. Returning to bilateral relations, the Azerbaijani diplomat said that Morocco and Azerbaijan are called to further strengthen their cooperation in all areas, noting that the two countries have much in common, including shared values, the same religion and rich cultures. Samadov, the fourth ambassador appointed to Rabat since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1992, stressed that bilateral relations have continued to evolve over the past three decades. “Former President Heydar Aliyev is the person who laid the foundation of relations between our two countries with a visit in 1994 to Casablanca to participate in the OIC Summit,” he recalled. Samadov particularly welcomed the level of parliamentary cooperation, with the creation of friendship groups active in the legislative institutions of both countries, in addition to the Intergovernmental Commission established for the purpose of intensifying bilateral economic cooperation and chaired by the foreign ministers of the Kingdom and the Caucasus country. “If we take only the period from January to April 2023, we note the growth of tourist arrivals from Morocco to Azerbaijan of 56%,” said, moreover, the Azerbaijani ambassador, adding that each year, a dozen high-level visits are made between the two countries. Indeed, he said, the two governments strive to develop bilateral relations at the highest possible level. Samadov said that several avenues remain to be explored to further strengthen cooperation between Rabat and Baku. It would be, according to him, to create favorable conditions for entrepreneurs of both countries to significantly increase trade and investment by removing barriers and establishing a direct flight. The ambassador placed particular emphasis on cooperation in the energy sector, Baku being a major exporter of hydrocarbons, while Morocco, he noted, “has good experience in the development of renewable energy. “I think that efforts in all these directions can give convincing results and increase the volume of trade between the two countries,” he said. Referring to the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the independent Azerbaijani state, Heydar Aliyev, Samadov explained that this emblematic figure led Azerbaijan during two completely different periods: during the former USSR (1969-1982) and ten years after the restoration of the country’s independence (1993-2003). “Coming to power at the call of the people in a difficult period for Azerbaijan, which restored its independence in 1991, Heydar Aliyev saved Azerbaijan from the threat of fragmentation and loss of independence, a deep economic and political crisis while leading the country on the path of sustainable development,” he informed.
