BILATERAL RELATIONS

Brief history

2002 
On October 3, The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan signed the order about the composition of delegation from Azerbaijan side of Joint commission for economic, technical and science cooperation between The Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and The Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
     
Due to conduction the first joint commission, the chairman from Egypt side, State Minister of the Foreign Affairs, Mrs Faiza Abu-Naqa had visited Baku on October 23-25. During the commission had been signed several documents: Protocol of Joint Commission, Agreement between The Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and The Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt on mutual protection of investments, Agreement between Trade-Industry chambers.

2004 
On February 10-12 The Minister of fuel and energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan Majid Karimov attended at Cairo International Intergas Conference.

On October 4 the new and fourth Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt Ahmed Yusif El-Sharkawy presented Credentials to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

On October 5 The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev with order from 05 october 2004 assigned Faiq Baghirov as the Ambassador o f the Republic of Azerbaijan in Arab Republic of Egypt and from may 2005 as Ambassador in the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.

2005

On January 9 the meeting with the Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs on the UN issues Ahmed Fathall was held, the candidature of Egypt to the Security Council of the UN was discussed and in this regard the support from Azerbaijani side was declared.

On January 10 during the meeting with the Minister of International Cooperation madam Fayza Abu En-Naga the Embassy proposed the 2nd meeting of the Azerbaijan-Egypt Joint Committee to be conducted in Cairo, and Egyptian side supported this idea and declared the conducting of this meeting on September of this year.

On January 13 by the initiative of the Embassy “The Egyptian Gazette”, edited in English language, published the detailed information about the meeting with the Minister of International Cooperation madam Fayza Abu En-Naga and acquainted the English speaking audience of Egypt and foreign business circles with economic resources of Azerbaijan.

On January 17 the meeting with the Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs on European issues Ashraf Rashid several regional and bilateral issues were discussed and it was decided to hold political consultation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs in Cairo.
The detailed information about the press-conference dedicated to the tragedy of January 20 held by the help and initiative of the Embassy, on January 19 was published in the Turkish magazine “Zaman”, on January 22 egyptian Journal “October”, and on January 28 in “Al-Vatan Al-Arabi” journal edited in Paris in Arabic language.

On February 5 the meeting with the Minister of Oil of Egypt Samih Fahmi was held, and the reasonability of mutual visits in this field on the highest levels was indicated, and the agreement was reached on priority issues for both countries.

On February 7 the meeting was held with the Minister of Tourism of Egypt Ahmed Al-Magrabi, the most famous Azerbaijani tourist places and opportunities were discussed and the exchange of views on concrete issues in this field between two countries was held.

On February 8 during the meeting with the 1st Deputy-Minister of Culture of Egypt Sherif Shubashi the exact dates of the visit of Azerbaijani official delegation to Egypt were fixed and several important issues in the field of culture were discussed.

On February 14 the meeting with the Secretary General of the League of Arab Nations Amr Musa was held and cooperation between Azerbaijan and the League were discussed in details.

On February 16 the meeting with the Secretary General of the Technical Cooperation Fond of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt was held, the productive present-day cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Fond and new ideas and views regarding this cooperation were discussed.

On February 27 the interview with Ambassador F. Baghirov on the relations between Azerbaijan and Egypt was published in “Al-Jumhuriyya” newspaper.

On March 3 the interview with Ambassador F. Baghirov on the Armenian occupation, the problem of refugees, and the efforts of the Government of Azerbaijan and conducted negotiations were published in “Al-Jumhuriyya” newspaper.

On March 6 the meeting with the Minister of Information of Egypt Anas Al-Figi was held and during the meeting in this field the renewal of the Protocol on cooperation between two countries signed in 1994 was discussed, and the agreement on demonstration of video materials about Azerbaijan by Egyptian television channels was reached. 
 
On March 9 the meeting with the Chairman of the Council of Parliament of Egypt, the Secretary General of ruling National Democratic Party Safwat Ash-Sherif was held, the establishment of direct contact between the ruling parties of both countries was discussed and it was supported.

On March 10 the meeting with the Minister of Internal Affairs Habib Al-Adli was held, the opportunities of forthcoming relations between two countries and already reached productive results were discussed.

On March 19 “the 38th International Cairo Exhibition” was held. Azerbaijan took part in the exhibition, and in the framework of this event the meeting titled “Capital opportunities in Azerbaijan” was held, and the Acting Prezident of the Fond on Capital Encouragement and Consultations Emil Mejidov made a speech. In the framework os 38th International Cairo Exhibition the Economic Forum on capital formation in Azerbaijan and enhancement of economic relations between Azerbaijan and Egypt was held.

On March 19 the interview with Ambassador F. Baghirov regarding signing of the Agreement on the establishment of information-cultural center between the Governments of both countries was published in “October” magazine.

On March 21 the Economic Forum titled “the Azerbaijani day” was held for the first time in Egypt. The Acting Prezident of the Fond on Capital Encouragement and Consultations E. Mejidov, the head of department of “SAF Ltd.” Company E. Mirzakhanov representing Guba-Khachmaz economic rayon, the head of Organizung Committee of Exhibitions and Fairs of Egypt M.S. Saleh, Deputy-Minister of Foreign Trade of Egypt N.F. Khalil, the representatives of business circles of Egypt, of mass media, and different state and Government representatives, embassadors and diplomats of different foreign countries accredited in Cairo took part at this first economic forum. Economic Forum “the Azerbaijani day” was widely covered in mass media of Egypt.

On March 21 the greeting letter of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan addressed to the Secretary General of the League of Arab Nations Amr Musa with help of the Embassy was delivered to A. Musa who was at that time in Algeria, and on March 22 it was read by the Secretary General during the opening ceremony of the Summit of Arab countries to the Heads of States participated at the meeting. The information about the greeting letter of the President of Azerbaijan to the Secretary General of the League of Arab Nations Amr Musa and the views indicated in this letter was published in the April edition of “October” magazine on April 4.  

On 26-30 March of this year the Deputy-Minister of Culture Adalat Veliyev payed a visit to Egypt. As a result of the visit “Intention Protokol on the conducting of cultural days of Azerbaijan and Egypt in Baku and Cairo” was signed, “The agreement on cooperation in the field of culture between Azerbaijan Government and Government of Egypt” was initialled.

On April 12 the interview with the Ambassador to Egypt Faig Baghirov was published in “Al-Dauli” (International Diplomacy) journal edited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, and the detailed information about Azerbaijan was published on 4 pages of this journal.

On April 13-14 the meeting with the Minister of Highest Education Amr Izzet Salama and the Deputy-Minister of Highest Education Jamal Hasan was held, the relations between two countries in the field of highest education was discussed, the details of the visit programme of the Minister of Education of Azerbaijan Misir Mardanov and the preparations for the signing of documents were considered.

On April 18-23 Official visit of the Minister of Education of Azerbaijan Misir Mardanov 
In the framework of the visit the Minister Misir Mardanov met with the Minister of International Cooperation of Egypt madam Faiza Abu En-Naga. At the meeting it was noted by Misir Mardanov that during the visit it is planned to discuss bilateral educational issues and sign several cooperation agreement. 
The Minister Misir Mardanov və the delegation accompanying him also were in Alexandria and visited Alexandria Library; the negotiations were conducted with the rector of Alexandria University, and as a result of the meeting the agreements between the Alexandria University and 4 Azerbaijani institutes – Oil Academy, Medical University, University of Culture and Arts and Nakhchivan State University – were signed. 
The Minister M. Mardanov also met with the Sheikh of Al-Azkhar Mohamed Tantavi. Sheikh Mohamed Tantavi noted that together with other students from different countries of the world the students from Azerbaijan are also educated in Al-Azkhar University, azerbaijani students are provided with all necessary conditions, and that in total about 190 students (boys and girls) from Azerbaijan are being educated in Egyptian universities. 

On May 8 the day of Shusha occupation was commemorated by the Embassy, and the details of occupation and reasons were explained to the representatives of mass media during the press conference.

On May 10 the birthday of National Leader Heydar Aliyev was commemorated in a grand manner in the Embassy, the DVD film dedicated to the life of Heydar Aliyev was demonstrated to the employees of the Embassy, the representatives of Azerbaijani community and Azerbaijani students participated at the meeting, and the speech was delivered to all participants of the meeting.

On May 10 the meeting was held with the Head of European Department of the League of Arab Nations Farida Hassuna; during the meeting the articles of the project of Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the League of Arab Nations were discussed, and the agreement was reached that the project will be sent to the Embassy as soon as it is prepared by the League. The project of Memorandum was sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, some amendments made by Azerbaijan were sent to the League and now the project is on approval in the Department of Law of the League.

On May 11 the meeting was held with the 1st Deputy-Minister of Highest Education of Egypt Ahmed Bahauddin; during the meeting the Governor of Southern Sinai province discussed the proposal on the opening of the branch of Azerbaijani Oil Academy in Southern Sinai and it was estimated as reasonable.

On May 28 the private envoy of the President of Egypt Tariq Abdulaziz visited the Embassy and delivered the greetings from the President of Egypt to the President of Azerbaijan.

On May 28-29 the film of 40 minutes length about Azerbaijan was demonstrated on the Egyptian “Nile News” and on the 2nd television channel. 

On June 5-8 the Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs Khalaf Khalafov payed official visit to Egypt to carry out political consultations. Khalaf Khalafov met with Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs on European issues Ashraf Rashid, carried out the consultations, also several agreements were reached during the meeting with some high-ranking officials and the Secretary General of the Ligue of Arab Nations Amr Musa.
During negotiations in the first place the political relations between Azerbaijan and Egypt were discussed and was stressed that these relations should be on the high level. The both sides stressed the necessity to intensify these relations, and also the importance of visits of the members of Government and statesmen of both countries on the mutual basis.

On June 13 the meeting was held with the Chairman of the Painters Union of Egypt Mustafa Huseyn, and the agreement on the establishment of direct contacts between the Unions of painters of both countries was reached.

On June 27 the meeting was held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the participation of representatives from the Departments of Law and Treaties and European issues of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt; the basis of law and treaty between two countries was thoroughly investigated, and the detailed information about that was sent to the Center.

On 25-30 July The visit of the working group representing Azerbaijan state bodies 
The working group representing the state bodies of Azerbaijan visited Egypt on 25-30 July of this year in order to conduct the preparation works for the 2-nd meeting of Azerbaijan-Egypt Joint Commision on economic and scientific-technical cooperation. As the result of the visit “Memo” was signed.

On October 15-17 The visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov 

During the visit hold the meeting and negotiations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt Ahmed Abu Al-Gheit. At the meeting they exchanged their views on the development of political and economic relations, Azerbaijan-Egypt cooperation in the framework of international organizations, situation in the Middle East and in the region, international security and cooperation perspectives between our two countries.
Touching upon the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Egyptian side said that taking into account that it supports all negotiations hold in the framework of OSCE, the Minsk group of OSCE, all mediation efforts and the meeting between the Foreign Ministers of two countries and the Heads of both states, it hopes that this conflict will be solved throgh the negotiations on the basis of territorial integrity.
The Minister Elmar Mammadyarov also hold the meeting with the Chairman of the People’s Parliament of Egypt Ahmed Fathi Surur. The Minister, noting the friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Egypt, stressed that the Azerbaijan-Egypt inter-Parliamentary relations will be developing and assured that the cooperation between the legislatory bodies of two countries will be developing more actively. Touching upon the issue of Parliamentary elections in both countires during this year it was noted that the Parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan will be held on November 6. As for the Parliamentary elections in Egypt it was noted that the elections will start on November 9 and the campagny will last one month.
In the framework of the visit Elmar Mammadyarov made a speech in the Egyptian Council of Foreign Affairs, and during the meeting answered in details to all questions asked by the Egyptians politicians and diplomats, by the embassadors and emloyees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt. 
During the visit to Egypt the Minister Elmar Mammadyarov hold the meeting and negotiations with the Secretary General of the Ligue of Arab Nation Amr Musa. At the meeting Secretary General gave detailed information about the recent events in the Middle East and in Iraq.
The Minister Elmar Mammadyarov made also a speech before the Permanent Representatives to the Ligue of Arab Nations, noted that the 33rd Conference of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the 5th Conference of the Ministers of Turism of the OIC countries will be held in Baku, and answered many questions asked by embassadors.
“Memorandum of Understanding” between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and the Ligue of Arab Nations. The Memorandum was signed by the Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and by the Secretary General of the Ligue of Arab Nation Amr Musa.
The Minister E. Mammadyarov hold the meeting with the Prime Minister of Egypt Ahmed Nazif. They exchanged their views on Azerbaijan-Egypt cooperation in the framework of international organizations, the problem in the Middle East and the situation in the region. Touching upon the issue of bilateral relations, the importance of enhancing cooperation in the fields of turism, trade and economy was stressed.
During the visit E. Mammadyarov hold the meeting with the Minister of International Cooperation of Egypt, the co-chair of the Azerbaijan-Egypt Joint Committee on economic, scientific-technical cooperation madam Faiza Abu En-Naga. The Minister E. Mammadyarov talking about rich natural resources of Azerbaijan noted that Azerbaijan rationally using these recources is implementing wide-ranging projects and programmes in order to improve the social conditions of the people.

On 10-13 November 2005 the delegation headed by the Minister of Culture Polad Bulbuloqlu payed official visit to Egypt in the framework of Cultural days of Azerbaijan in Egypt.
The Minister Polad Bulbuloqlu met with the Minister of Culture of Egypt Faruq Hosny. During the meeting and negotiations the necessity of Azerbaijani cultural days to be held in november of this year and of the Cultural days of Egypt was stressed, and the essential role of these two cultural events in making closer relations between two nations was also indicated. During the meeting the Minister Polad Bulbuloqlu indicated the possibility and reasonibility of holding such kind of events once a 2-3 years and also expressed the reasonibility of implementation of private activities of small capacity in the sphere of culture. Speaking about these activities the Minister Polad Bulbuloqlu suggested to arrange the exchange of visits of cultural workers (in the sphere of films, music and theater), the holding of private exhibitions of painters and sculptors, and also the joint Azerbaijan-Egypt film screening. In response of suggestions made by the Minister Polad Bulbuloqlu, the Minister Faruq Hosny streesed the importance of these events and thoroughly supported these idea.
After the signing of the Agreement on the cooperation between the Government of Azerbaijan and the Government of Egypt the ministers during the joint press conference answered to many questions asked by the journalists. At the press conference both ministers gave the explanations to all issues discussed during negotiations and also gave information in details on the ways of implementation of the articles and obligations mentioned in the signed agreement.
The opening of the cultural days was conducted in Cairo Opera House. At first both ministers visited the exhibition of works of Azerbaijani painters, ancient Azerbaijani carpets, the samples of our carpet weaving, ancient folk musical instruments, ancient copper tablewares and ancient national clothes. At the opening ceremony the Minister Polad Bulbuloqlu and the Minister of Highest Education Amr Izzet Salama exchanged their views and stressed the importance of such a worthy event. The concert was held in the big hall of Cairo Opera House. The ministers of Culture of both countries, the Minister of Highest Education, the Deputy Ministers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other ministries, the representatives of ministries and other state bodies, also embassadors, diplomats accredited in Egypt and representatives of International Organizations participated at the event.
Due to the interest payed to the Cultural days of Azerbaijan and the concert programme, spectators who did not find the empty place in the hall with the capacity of 1000 people, watched the programme being on their feet. At event held in the big hall of Cairo Opera House about 70 azerbaijani cultural workers took part. The National Dance Ensemble, National Chamber Orchestra by the name of Gara Garayev, vocal singers, muqam masters and performers of popular songs performed In the framework of the event and the rich collection of clothes by the fashion designer Fakhriya Khalafova was demonstrated. 
After the concert the both Ministers answered the questioned asked by the journalists participated in the cultural days, also the Minister of Culture of Egypt  Faruq Hosny gave an interview to AZTV 1 telechannel and answering the questions of Egyptian journalists he stressed: “Egypt must cooperate in all spheres with such people of such a giant culture”.
The exchange of views was held between the Minister Polad Bulbuloqlu and the minister Faruq Hosny; Egyptian Minister expressed himself being charmed by the concert and in responce to the proposals made by the Minister Polad Bulbuloqlu before, stressed the necessity of conducting the exchange of experience and visits between the soloists, the cultural workers in the sphere of music and popular songs performers of  Opera theaters of both countries. The Minister Polad Bulbuloqlu in his turn invited Faruq Hosny not as a statesman but as a famous painter to pay a visit to Azerbaijan and also proposed to conduct the exhibition of his works in the worthy gallery of arts in Baku.   
The Minister Polad Bulbuloqlu and the delagation which accompanied him also visited Alexandria. The Minister Polad Bulbuloqlu met with the vice-governor of Alexandria Safi Ed-Din, gave information about the cultural days of Azerbaijan in Alexandria, and during the meeting exchanged their view on the importance of cooperation in the sphere of culture between Alexandria and the appropriate city in Azerbaijan. In the framework of the Alexandria programme the Minister Polad Bulbuloqlu visited the prominent Alexandria Library, National Museum and saw other historical monuments of Alexandria. The Cultural days of Azerbaijan was hold in the famous Opera theater “Seyid Dervish”. The representatives of Alexandria Governorate, distinguished cultural workers of the city and businessmen participated in grandiose concert.
During the the Minister Polad Bulbuloqlu met with the sheikh of Al-Azkhar Mohamed Tantavi. Polad Bulbuloqlu gave the information about the common religion of both people, common history, culture and traditions, and also stressed the important role of cultural events in making closer of the people of both countries. The Sheikh of Al-Azkhar in his turn noted that the University yearly separates the scholarships for the students of Azerbaijan and mentioned that the azerbaijani students are permanently  educated in this University.

On 25-26 December of this year the Minister of Economic Development Heydar Babayev payed official visit to represent Azerbaijan at the 2-nd meeting of Azerbaijan-Egypt Joint Intergovernmental Committee on economic and scientific-technical cooperation. 
At the first day of the visit H. Babayev met and conducted negotiations with the Minister of International Cooperation of Egypt, Azerbaijan-Egypt Joint Committee on Scientific-Technical Cooperation, madam Faiza Abu En-Naga. Madam Faiza Abu En-Naga during the meeting between the delegations stressed that there is many opportunities for cooperation between two countries.
Also during the visit H. Babayev met with the Minister of Health of Egypt Avad Tajuddin. At the meeting the perspectives of bilateral cooperation in the sphere of health, struggle against infectious diseases, drug storring, production of vaccine medicines and inoculation, the health of family were discussed.
H. Babayev also took part together with madam Faiza Abu En-Naga at the meeting held in the framework of businessmen association of Egypt. During the meeting the President of Association Jamal Nazir, madam Faiza Abu En-Naga and H. Babayev made their speech.
During his visit to Egypt H. Babayev conducted negotiations with Prime Minister of Egypt Ahmed Nazif. At the meeting the exchange of views on Azerbaijan-Egypt cooperation in the framework of international organizations, the problem in the Middle East and the situation in the region was conducted. The both sides touching upon the issues of relations between the two countries in the fields of economy, trade, turism and health, stressed the importance of development of these relations for both countries.
During the visit H. Babayev met with the Minister of Trade and Industry of Egypt Rashid Mohamed Rashid. At the meeting the exchange of views on economic trade cooperation between two countries, participation of Egyptian representatives of business circles and investors in Azerbaijani projects on social-economic development was conducted.
H. Babayev also had a meeting with the Minister of Investment of Egypt Mahmud Muhyiddin. H. Babayev gave the information on economic situation in Azerbaijan, favourable investment opportunities, also conducting at this moment wide-ranging automobile and railways projects in Azerbaijan-Russia, Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey and Azerbaijan-Iran directions.
“Agreement on cooperation between the Ministry of Finance of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Finance of Egypt”, “Memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Economic Development of Azerbaijan and International Trade Centre of the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Egypt”, “Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Azerbaijan and Egypt in the fields of health and pharmacy” and “the Protokol of the 2nd meeting of Azerbaijan-Egypt Joint committee on Scientific-Technical cooperation” were signed. Also “Memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the Government of Azerbaijan and the Government of Egypt in the field of turism” and “The agreement on cooperation between the Government of Azerbaijan and the Government of Egypt in the fields of work with youths and sport” were initialled. After the signing ceremony the joint press conference was held with local and foreign mass media, and information about signed and initialled documents between two countries was given. The Minister H. Babayev answered many questions asked by the journalists.
During the 29th Cairo International film festival, which was held

on 29 November – 9 december, the film of Azerbaycani film director Nijat Feyzullayev “I splashed water on the streets” was represented. And during the film festival this film was demonstrated in Cairo grand cinema “Cosmos” on 7 December, and Cairo Opera House on 8 December. The film has been demonstrating in Cairo cinemas until 14 December.

Signed documents

 Presidential visits