Djuric: Serbia-Azerbaijan strategic partnership a result of relations between the two presidents

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric said today in Baku that the meeting he had with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was a sign of great respect for Serbia and a result of a strong friendship, the foundations of which had been built by President Vucic and President Aliyev.

Minister Djuric assessed that Azerbaijan was a major economic stronghold for Serbia and that bilateral economic ties were very close, especially in the infrastructure sector.

When it comes to energy, Djuric pointed out that, owing to such meetings, but also to an enhanced friendship forged through immediate cooperation between the two energy ministries in previous years, Serbia had secured supplies of Azerbaijani gas for the winter, which he said was very significant for both industry and heating.

The head of Serbian diplomacy added that it was also very important that the two countries were cooperating in the fields of defence and security.

"Our cooperation on support for territorial integrity and sovereignty is crucial, and Azerbaijan supports our position on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija," the Minister emphasized, reminding that being on Serbia's side was not always easy or simple for Azerbaijan, which makes it a sincere friend.

Pointing out that the visit to Azerbaijan was among the first official visits since the beginning of his mandate, the head of Serbian diplomacy reiterated that the strategic partnership between the two countries, built in previous years through the personal relationship between Presidents Vucic and Aliyev, was a great treasure that Serbia would continue to work on.