Bucharest, August 15, AZERTAC

Azerbaijan`s Khankendi city, the Aghdara and Khojaly districts, and Romania’s Maramureș County and Baia Mare region have reached an agreement to expand cooperation in the economic, investment, cultural-humanitarian, sports, and other spheres.

As part of his official visit to Romania, Elchin Yusubov, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the city of Khankendi and the Aghdara and Khojaly districts, met with Gabriel-Valer Zetea, President of Maramureș County Council.

The meeting focused on further strengthening the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Romania at the regional level and establishing broad cooperation between the Garabagh and Maramureș regions in a range of areas.

Elchin Yusubov noted that Azerbaijan, including the city of Khankendi and the Aghdara and Khojaly districts, is keen to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with European countries. He also presented information on ongoing reconstruction, development, and infrastructure projects in Garabagh and East Zangezur, as well as investment opportunities for foreign investors.

During the meeting, the Azerbaijani side invited Gabriel-Valer Zetea to pay an official visit to Garabagh. He accepted the invitation and highlighted that regional cooperation would contribute significantly to strengthening bilateral relations. He also highlighted the strong interest in attracting Azerbaijani investors to projects being implemented in Maramureș.

The sides exchanged views on holding reciprocal Regional Days in Garabagh and Maramureș, organizing a business forum bringing together businesspeople from the two regions, and jointly exploring economic and investment opportunities.

Elchin Yusubov described the large-scale reconstruction and development efforts underway in the liberated territories under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, as well as the establishment of an environment of sustainable peace and stability in the region, as a historic achievement.

The Azerbaijani delegation also met with Ioan-Doru Dăncuș, Mayor of Baia Mare.

The discussions covered ways to establish and strengthen ties between Baia Mare and Khankendi, pursue joint projects, facilitate the exchange of expertise, explore investment opportunities, and expand other mutually beneficial areas of cooperation. Mayor Ioan-Doru Dăncuș proposed identifying concrete avenues for cooperation with Azerbaijan and Garabagh, building partnerships with Azerbaijani companies, and exploring opportunities for reciprocal investment. He further expressed the city's interest in cooperation in the cultural, humanitarian, and sports sectors.

Elchin Yusubov highlighted the similarities between Khankendi and Baia Mare in terms of their geographical location, natural environment, and rich heritage. He noted that Khankendi is one of the important political, economic, and cultural centers of Garabagh and provided information about the city’s rich history. The Special Representative underscored that the large-scale reconstruction and development projects underway in Garabagh hold long-term strategic and economic significance for countries across the region, as well as for European states.

During the meeting, the Romanian side was invited to pay an official visit to Azerbaijan, including Garabagh. The two sides also agreed to sign a twinning agreement between Baia Mare and Khankendi.

The meetings were described as an important step toward strengthening ties between the Garabagh and Maramureș regions and between the cities of Khankendi and Baia Mare, while also boosting economic and investment cooperation.

Source: azertag.az