Ragus receives Azerbaijan's deputy FM

BELGRADE - Serbian Deputy Parliament Speaker Marina Ragus, who also heads the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, received Azerbaijan's Deputy FM Fariz Rzayev on Tuesday to discuss advancement of Serbia-Azerbaijan parliamentary cooperation.

Ragus and Rzayev agreed that overall bilateral relations were excellent and that parliamentary cooperation had been stepped up.

The good relations are a result of friendship between the two nations, of sharing the same values and of a good relationship between the presidents of the two countries, an official statement quoted them as saying.

Ragus thanked Rzayev for Azerbaijan's respect for international law and the territorial integrity of Serbia, which she noted was the foundation of the friendship between the two countries.

She added that, although the bilateral relations were good, there was great potential for improving them amid the present major geopolitical challenges, especially in areas such as the IT sector, artificial intelligence and energy.

Ragus said Serbia and Azerbaijan could work together and jointly send a message of peace and stability to third parties.

She thanked Rzayev for Azerbaijan's announced participation in the specialised EXPO 2027 in Belgrade and expressed the hope parliamentary cooperation would be raised to the level of cooperation between departmental committees.

Rzayev said overall relations with Serbia were partnership relations committed to respect for international law and aimed at development in the economy, energy, defence, tourism and other sectors.

He added that Serbia-Azerbaijan dialogue was on a high level and that the launch of direct flights between Baku and Belgrade contributed to advancement of the friendly relations.

We can be proud of our relations, but they hold even greater potential that can be harnessed, he said.