Telephone conversation between Minister Luigi Di Maio and the Azerbaijani Minister for Foreign Affairs, Elmar Mammadyarov

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio, had a telephone conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Elmar Mammadyarov. The focus of the conversation was the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, the security framework in the region and the intense bilateral relations, particularly in the economic and energy fields. Minister Di Maio thanked Minister Mammadyarov for the generous support offered to Italy during the most acute phases of the pandemic and ensured Italy’s availability to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Baku in the fight against COVID-19. The two Ministers also shared the opportunity to continue international efforts in the global fight against the pandemic. Minister Di Maio took note of Minister Mammadyarov’s updates on the tensions with Armenia, expressing strong concern about the risks of destabilisation in the region. In line with appeals by the Secretary General of the United Nations, the European Union and the OSCE, Minister Di Maio encouraged all initiatives to promote dialogue and de‑escalation. The two Ministers also expressed satisfaction with the state of bilateral relations between the two countries. Both reiterated the strong political will to further deepen economic relations, also as a follow-up to the State visit of Azerbaijani President Aliyev last February, and discussed possible further opportunities for cooperation in the energy sector.