President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today arrived in Romania for an official visit.

        A guard of honor was lined up for the Azerbaijani President at the Bucharest Henri Coanda Airport decorated with national flags of Azerbaijan and Romania.

        President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva were welcomed by Romanian officials.

        

        President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was given Monday an official welcome in Bucharest at the Romanian leader`s residence - Cotroceni Palace.

        A guard of honor was lined up at the square in front of the palace decorated with the national flags of Azerbaijan and Romania.

        President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva were warmly welcomed by Romanian leader Traian Basescu and his spouse Maria Basescu.

        The two Presidents inspected a ceremonial guard of honor as a military orchestra played the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Romania.

        Romanian officials were introduced to President Ilham Aliyev, while members of the Azerbaijani delegation to Romanian leader Traian Basescu. The presidents then posed for photographs.



        

        Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Traian Basescu of Romania have Monday met in private at the Romanian leader`s residence - Cotroceni Palace.

        The talks focused on successful cooperation between the two countries in political, economic and other areas. The importance of expansion of relationship within the European Union was stressed.

        It was noted high-level reciprocal visits contribute to boosting bilateral ties.

        The presidents stressed bilateral energy cooperation had great prospects. They also exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international issues.

        

        Following the one-on-one meting, Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Traian Basescu of Romania met in the presence of the two countries` delegations at the Romanian leader`s residence - Cotroceni Palace.

        The Romanian leader expressed gratitude for accepting his invitation to visit his country. "At the same time, I would like to note that the governments of the two countries have close cooperation and I am satisfied with this. "As a result of this, today we will sign some important documents between our countries", he underlined.

        Azerbaijan`s President Ilham Aliyev thanked Romanian leader for hospitality shown to him and the Azeri delegation. "I am very glad to visit your beautiful country once again, and documents which will be signed today are very important for development of bilateral relations.

        I am very glad that Romania-Azerbaijan relations are rapidly developing, and they are in high level and are creating good opportunities for future development," he stressed.

        

        Azerbaijan and Romania signed Monday here several documents in the presence of Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Traian Basescu.

        Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Traian Basescu signed a Joint Declaration on agreement on establishing strategic cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Romania.

        Azerbaijani Interior Minister Ramil Usubov and Romanian Secretary of State in the Foreign Ministry Bogdan Mazuru signed an agreement on cooperation between the Azerbaijani and Romanian governments in fight against trans-border organized crime and international terrorism.

        Azerbaijani Minister of Emergency Situations Kamaladdin Heydarov and Romanian Secretary of State in the Foreign Ministry Bogdan Mazuru signed an agreement on cooperation between the Azerbaijani and Romanian governments in elimination, limitation and reduction of consequences of emergency situations.

        Azerbaijan`s foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Romanian Minister of Communications and Information Society Gabriel Sandu signed a memorandum of understanding on ICT cooperation between Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Communication and Information Technologies and Romanian Ministry of Communications and Information Society.

        Azerbaijan`s foreign minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Romanian Secretary of State in the Environment Ministry Dan Carlan signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in protection of environment between Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and Ministry of Environment and Water Management of Romania.

        

        Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Traian Basescu of Romania today had a joint press conference at the latter`s residence - Cotroceni Palace after the ceremony of signing documents.

        First, the two presidents made statements.

        The Romanian leader thanked the Azerbaijani colleague for receiving his invitation.

        Traian Basescu said 'this visit is a sum of joint works done within last four years. He said bilateral relations cover much more areas, praising energy cooperation.

        Touching upon Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the President said his country supports resolution of the conflict within norms and principles of international law, and territorial integrity of the countries.

        President Ilham Aliyev said bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Romania are "successfully" developing, adding 'documents signed today create good base for future development of ties.'

        Speaking about transporting of Azerbaijan gas to markets of European Union, the Head of State stated the two countries have "effective" economic and energy cooperation.

        The President thanked Romanian colleague for his country`s stance on resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within principles of international law and territorial integrity.

        Later on, the Presidents answered questions of journalists.

        The Romanian leader said his country has signed a Joint Declaration on strategic partnership with only two countries, which are the United States and Azerbaijan and this document covers cooperation in political, economic and other fields. According to him, the Joint Declaration meets national interest of both countries.

        The Azerbaijani President expressed belief bilateral cooperation will further develop. Ilham Aliyev said the Joint Declaration on strategic partnership will open new prospects for cooperation.

        

        President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev today has visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Carol Park, Bucharest.

        A guard of honor was lined up there for the Azerbaijani Leader. National anthems of Azerbaijan and Romania were played.

        The Head of State laid a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and paid tribute to memories of the Romanian soldiers, who lost their lives during World War II. President Ilham Aliyev signed the guest book.

        

        President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met today here Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc.

        The discussions focused on economic and energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Romania. It was noted the two countries had huge potential to expand relevant bilateral cooperation even more. The importance of bilateral relations was stressed in terms of economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union.

        The sides expressed confidence economic ties between Azerbaijan and Romania would further develop.

        

        An official reception was given in honor of Azerbaijan`s President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva on behalf of Romanian President Traian Basescu and his spouse Maria Basescu.

        The Presidents made speeches during the event.



        

        Azerbaijan`s First Lady, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO Good-Will Ambassador, MP Mehriban Aliyev today has visited Lulia Hasdeu national college in Bucharest.

        The First Lady was warmly welcomed by officials of Romanian Ministry of Education and Mayor`s office of Bucharest Second Sector.

        Schoolgirls gave her fresh flowers and sang national anthems of Azerbaijan and Romania.

        Mehriban Aliyeva had her picture taken together with the students.

        She looked at the computer room set up by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s representation in Romania, which presented 30 computers and a projector to this college.

        The President of Foundation talked about projects of her organization in Azerbaijan and abroad.

        Mehriban Aliyeva said the Foundation financially supported construction of more than 300 school buildings in her country.

        She noted the Foundation will organize a visit of Romanian students, including those of the Lulia Hasdeu national college to Azerbaijan to become familiar with the country`s culture. According to her, Azerbaijani students will come to Romania, too.

        Mehriban Aliyeva was presented a gift on behalf of the collective of college.

        Rector of the College and official of the Ministry of Education thanked Mehriban Aliyeva and praised activities of Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s representation in Romania.

        They expressed hope the Foundation will continue its support to the education projects in this country.

        The President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation thanked for hospitality, expressing satisfaction with her visit to Romania again. She said bilateral relations between the two countries will further develop.

        

        First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador, MP Mehriban Aliyeva visited Monday here the "Doina Levintza" Fashion House.

        Here, the staff of the House warmly welcomed Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva.

        She was informed that since 1987 the House had been demonstrating works of prominent Romanian fashion designers, artists and other craftsmen.

        Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva was invited to a tea party during which she spoke of Azerbaijan`s culture and art. She signed the House`s Guest Book. The First Lady of Azerbaijan was also presented with catalogues of the House. Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva was accompanied by Romanian first lady Maria Basescu.

        

        Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has visited a monument to national leader Heydar Aliyev in Tei park.

        The President and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva were welcomed here by Mayor of Bucharest`s Sector 2 Neculai Ontanu.

        The President and the first lady laid flowers at the monument to the national leader.

        They posed for photographs and then toured the park and chatted with local residents and representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora.


        

        Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has met President of the Romanian Senate Mircea Geoana as part of his official visit to the country.

        The Romanian Speaker said his country places a particular emphasis on its relations with Azerbaijan, which he described as "a friend of us".

        Mr. Geoana stressed the importance of the Azerbaijani leader`s visit to Bucharest.

        The Romanian Speaker praised national leader Heydar Aliyev`s role in Azerbaijan`s development.



        President Ilham Aliyev praised the Azerbaijan-Romania relations, in particular political, economic and energy cooperation.

        "A Joint Declaration we have signed to establish strategic partnership reflects the spirit of our relations and will contribute to expanding them further."

        Touching upon Azerbaijan`s moves towards European integration, the President praised Romania`s support for the country.

        Mircea Geoana presented President Ilham Aliyev with a medal marking the 140th anniversary of the Romanian Senate.

        The Azerbaijani President signed the Senate`s guest book.




        

        Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has met Speaker of Romania`s Chamber of Deputies Roberta Anastase.

        Mrs. Anastase praised the level of the Azerbaijan-Romania relations. She said the interparliamentary cooperation between the two countries contributes to developing their bilateral relations.

        "Our countries also successfully cooperate within international organizations," added Mrs. Anastase.

        She said Romania attaches a special emphasis to the Azerbaijani President`s visit.

        Mrs. Anastase also praised the activities of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s office in Romania, stressing the necessity of deepening the bilateral cultural cooperation.

        President Ilham Aliyev praised the Azerbaijan-Romania relations.

        "We have solid legal foundation for developing our relations. A joint declaration on strategic partnership that we signed yesterday covers all spheres of cooperation. This document will contribute to developing our bilateral relations."

        On the activities of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation`s office in Romania, the President said "this demonstrates the strength and dynamics of our relations".

        The President also touched upon the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, and hailed Romania`s position on the issue. President Ilham Aliyev also spoke of Azerbaijan`s moves towards European integration, hailing Romania`s support for the country.

        

        Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has today ended his official visit to Romania.

        The Azerbaijani leader inspected a guard of honor at the Bucharest Henri Coanda Airport decorated with national flags of Azerbaijan and Romania.

        President Ilham Aliyev was seen off by Romanian state and government officials.

        Later the same day, President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Baku.