BAKU: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev welcomed his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the Karabakh region on Tuesday, where the two leaders embarked on a tour of the cities of Fuzuli and Shusha.
The visit commenced with a tour of Fuzuli, where local authorities briefed the presidents on completed reconstruction projects and forthcoming initiatives aimed at enhancing the city’s infrastructure. According to the Azerbaijani presidency, plans are underway to expand Fuzuli’s administrative territory to 1,943 hectares by 2040, with a projected population of 50,000 people.
Highlighting the strong bilateral ties between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, the two leaders inaugurated the Kurmangazy Children’s Creativity Center in Fuzuli. Named after the renowned 19th-century Kazakh composer Kurmangazy Sagyrbayuly, the center symbolizes the collaborative efforts between the two nations in promoting cultural exchange and nurturing artistic talent.
Following their visit to Fuzuli, Presidents Aliyev and Tokayev proceeded to Shusha, where they were briefed on the city’s master plan and toured various local landmarks and infrastructure projects. Notable sites included a creative center, a mosque, and a museum, underscoring the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of Shusha.
The visit of President Tokayev to Azerbaijan commenced on Monday with official talks and the inaugural session of the Supreme Interstate Council, marking a milestone in the bilateral relations between Baku and Astana. During the visit, multiple agreements were signed aimed at deepening cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan across various sectors including business, communications, transport, education, oil, and culture.