UAE President receives Azerbaijan’s head of state

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan on Sunday, January 15.

The Azerbaijan head of state is on a working visit to the UAE,  that will span several days, during which he will participate in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

Read: Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week: Energy security, strategies take centre stage at Global Energy Forum

During the meeting held at Abu Dhabi’s Al Shati Palace, Sheikh Mohamed welcomed President Aliyev and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the UAE and Azerbaijan, especially across the economy, renewable energy and other spheres that fit with the economic diversification plans.

The two sides also reviewed several issues and topics of mutual interest, official news agency WAM reported.

The two countries have partnered on renewable energy projects in the recent past. In August 2022, UAE-based clean energy company Masdar achieved a financial close for its 230-megawatt (MW) Garadagh solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Azerbaijan.

Read: Masdar announces financial close on Garadagh Solar PV Plant in Azerbaijan

The agreements to develop the solar project in Azerbaijan, which is expected to start commercial operations in early 2023, were signed in April of 2021.

Sheikh Mohamed and President Aliyev also discussed COP28 which the UAE will host in November of this year, presenting an opportunity for countries to showcase their aspirations to transition towards a green economy.

Read: UAE to host COP28 summit at Expo City Dubai

The meeting between the two leaders was also attended by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs in the Presidential Court; Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President; Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; and Mohammed Murad Al Balushi, UAE Ambassador to Azerbaijan, in addition the delegation accompanying the President of Azerbaijan.