President Rumen Radev discussed the upgrading of the strategic dialogue between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan in areas of mutual interest, including energy, transport, information and communication technologies, at a meeting with the visiting foreign minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov.

The visit is taking place on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The President and minister Bayramov agreed that the friendly bilateral relations and the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan were a good basis for deepening cooperation.

Bulgaria regards Azerbaijan as a reliable partner in a number of areas of trade and economic cooperation. The two outlined transport, information and communication technologies, tourism, and educational exchange as particularly promising areas for fostering the partnership. Special attention was paid to the expansion of bilateral cooperation in energy, which is of key importance not only for Bulgaria, but also for the whole of Europe with a view to accelerating the diversification of energy sources. Minister Bayramov briefed President Radev on his country's activities to develop and exploit alternative energy sources. The possibility for Azeri companies participating in the gasification of households in this country was also touched on.

The situation in South Caucasus was discussed as well. The President pointed out that only diplomacy could achieve sustainable and irreversible results in establishing stability and peace in the region.