Djuric, Azerbaijani FM meet in New York

NEW YORK - Serbian caretaker FM Marko Djuric met on Wednesday in New York with Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov to discuss further strengthening of the ties between the two countries and current affairs.

They met on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly session.

Djuric said the relations between the two countries were "founded on traditional friendship, mutual trust and respect for the fundamental principles of international law, emphasising that Serbia views Azerbaijan as a reliable partner in building long-term strategic relations," a government statement said.

"The talks also covered current topics, and Djuric highlighted the importance of continued close coordination and an open exchange of views on matters of mutual interest," it said.

Djuric said an official visit to Belgrade by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in February this year and Aliyev's personal contacts with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic were a confirmation of intensive political dialogue.

Djuric said that all this, as well as the holding of the first meeting of a bilateral strategic partnership council, was a major impetus to advancement of the cooperation between the two countries.

The parties said direct flights between Belgrade and Baku, launched in May, were already contributing to better connectivity between the two countries and their capitals.