On the occasion, the officials opined that the relations between Serbia and Azerbaijan had in general followed an upward trend in 2016, especially in the spheres of economic and political cooperation, and that trade and business cooperation would be intensified in 2017. At the same time, they agreed that Serbia and Azerbaijan’s joint stance and mutual support in integrational organizations and institutions, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in particular, clearly show that they are strong allies in the preservation of their national interests.

Ambassador Hasanov said that the Republic of Azerbaijan is a true friend to the Republic of Serbia, a firm all-round supporter in international organizations, and would continue to be so in the future. The Ambassador was also pleased by the two countries’ PACE delegations’ joint stance, stressing that Azerbaijan will always be a reliable partner, as demonstrated in the thwarting of the self-proclaimed state of Kosovo’s attempt to join the European institution’s structures.

Aleksandra Djurovic said that Azerbaijan’s support is evident both at the global level and within the Council of Europe, especially in the defence of Serbia’s national interests and its sovereignty and territorial integrity in Kosovo-Metohija. She said that the Azerbaijani and Serbian delegations in PACE are strategic partners whose active participation and joint ventures demonstrate a strong alliance, which in turn contributes to an even stronger mutual defence of the two countries’ national interests.

Djurovic said that Azerbaijan’s support in presenting a joint front to the participation of representatives of the so-called state of Kosovo in international organizations was truly important, thanking the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE for its help in preventing Kosovo Parliament’s representatives from attending the Assembly plenary in December last year. As she said, this showed that the two countries are reliable partners and true friends.

The Head of the Serbian delegation to the PACE took the opportunity to ask for support for Serbia’s attempts to prevent the false state of Kosovo entry into UNESCO, hoping that Azerbaijan would not fail to provide such support.