r Orlic thanked President Aliyev for the importance he attaches to comprehensive bilateral ties with Serbia and conveyed the greetings of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. He stressed that the relations between Serbia and Azerbaijan have reached a historical high, based on mutual respect, understanding and reciprocal support.

The National Assembly Speaker confirmed Serbia's commitment to pursuing the two presidents’ Joint Statement, in which, among other things, they emphasise the importance of exchanging visits and of cooperation at the parliamentary level, with the aim of further strengthening the friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

The officials confirmed that Serbia and Azerbaijan’s unanimous and principled respect for public international law and the UN principles, providing mutual support for territorial integrity and sovereignty. Speaker Orlic thanked Azerbaijan for its firm decision not to recognise so-called "Kosovo" and its support for Serbia, particularly demonstrated before the Council of Europe. "We consider this kind of attitude as evidence of strong friendship," said Dr Orlic. He informed President Aliyev about the extremely difficult situation in the southern Serbian province, for which, he emphasised, Albin Kurti is the sole culprit, as well as about his terrible campaign of ethnic cleansing of the Serbian people. He said that our country remains committed to further development and achieving new results in the spheres of economy, infrastructure, investments, as well as to cooperation with its Azerbaijani friends.

In the course of the meeting, President Aliyev stressed that, thanks to his friendship with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, followed by the representatives and citizens of Serbia and Azerbaijan, the partnership and relations between the two countries are constantly developing and improving. He also said that the Serbian Parliament Speaker’s official visit would further strengthen the established bilateral ties, highlighting the importance of continued cooperation between Serbia and Azerbaijan, both at the level of the two presidents and at the level of the two governments and two parliaments.

Aliyev confirmed once again that the firm support for Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty will continue in the future, as well as that Azerbaijan will stand by our country and represent its interests in international forums and organisations. "You can count on Azerbaijan, because we always stand by our friends and on the side of justice," Aliyev said.

In the course of the meeting, President Aliyev and Dr Orlic also discussed concrete steps to strengthen cooperation and expressed mutual readiness to continue discussions and intensive joint work on all issues of importance for the two countries and two peoples.

Dr Orlic's meetings in Baku, are also attended by the Head of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with the Republic of Azerbaijan Dusan Maric and Serbian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Dragan Vladisavljevic.