Ambassador Karimov praises depth of bilateral relations, close ties with Kuwait
The Times Kuwait Report
Azerbaijan and Kuwait are moving toward broader strategic cooperation, as both countries explore new avenues in trade, tourism, and investment, building on decades of diplomatic ties and recent high-level exchanges that have accelerated bilateral engagement.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Kuwait, H.E. Emil Karimov, has praised the steadily expanding relations between Azerbaijan and Kuwait, highlighting strong bilateral ties and broad opportunities for cooperation across key sectors including economy, trade, investment, tourism, agriculture, education, and food industries.
He made the remarks during a reception hosted by the Embassy of Azerbaijan to mark the 108th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s National Independence Day, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kuwait.
The event was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Hamed Sulaiman Al-Mashaan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Al-Mishaal, alongside ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Kuwait.
In his address, Karimov stressed that Azerbaijani–Kuwaiti relations are built on a strong foundation of friendship and mutual respect, tracing their origins to the historic meeting between the late Azerbaijani national leader Heydar Aliyev and the late Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah during the 1994 Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit in Casablanca, followed by further engagements in Copenhagen and New York in 1995.
He noted that relations entered a new phase following the official visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Kuwait in 2009, which significantly strengthened bilateral cooperation and opened new avenues for partnership between the two countries.
The ambassador also highlighted recent high-level exchanges, including the participation of Kuwait’s Foreign Minister in Non-Aligned Movement conferences hosted in Baku in 2023, as well as the landmark visit of Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah to Azerbaijan in 2024 to attend the COP29 summit, the first such visit at that level, which he said contributed to deepening ties and expanding cooperation frameworks.
Karimov commended the efforts of Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in facilitating political consultations and joint initiatives, including meetings of the joint committee, business forums, and tourism promotion activities aimed at strengthening bilateral engagement.
On economic and tourism cooperation, the ambassador revealed that Azerbaijan received more than 32,000 Kuwaiti tourists last year, attributing the growth to Azerbaijan’s diverse tourism offerings and direct flights operated by Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways, with a flight time of less than two hours.
He also announced continued efforts to promote Azerbaijan’s tourism sector in Kuwait, including the planned “Roadshow 2025” in Kuwait City featuring Azerbaijani tourism companies and showcasing investment, leisure, and business opportunities.
He further emphasized that both countries enjoy strong cooperation in agriculture, education, and tourism, while noting significant potential to expand collaboration in food industries, light industries, and agricultural development, urging greater efforts to boost trade exchange in these areas.
Karimov also highlighted recent political consultations held on February 13, 2025, between the two foreign ministries at the level of deputy foreign ministers, describing them as constructive and covering a wide range of bilateral and multilateral issues.
Addressing Azerbaijan’s historical background, the ambassador noted that the country is celebrating the 108th anniversary of its independence, recalling the proclamation of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on May 28, 1918, the first secular democratic republic in the Muslim world, which established state institutions including parliament and a university, and was later recognized during the Paris Peace Conference in 1920 before Azerbaijan restored its independence in 1991.
He concluded by affirming that Azerbaijan has overcome major economic challenges and continues its development path, positioning itself as a leading country in the Caucasus region, while extending an invitation to Kuwaitis to visit Azerbaijan and experience its growing tourism and investment opportunities.
