"The ties between Azerbaijan and Italy are at a very high level. These relations have been developing in all areas since Azerbaijan restored its independence. Both countries are reliable partners in the economic field, too," head of the working group on Azerbaijan-Italy interparliamentary relations, MP Azer Karimli told Report.
Karimli mentioned that the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Italy had reached $6 billion in recent years: "These ties are still developing today. One of the most significant outcomes of President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Italy will be the development of the relations between the countries in the non-oil sector. I believe the cooperation in agriculture, heavy industry, and military field will further grow."
The head of the working group said that Azerbaijan and Italy adopted a joint declaration on strategic partnership in 2014, which triggered new cooperation between the countries.
"More than 25 documents have been signed during the President's visit. The most important of them is the Joint Declaration on Strengthening Multilateral Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Italian Republic. It will be a new stage in the relations between official Baku and Rome," Karimli said.
The Joint Declaration on Strengthening Multilateral Strategic Partnership also expresses support for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. It supports a solution to the problem under the four UN Security Council resolutions."
According to Karimli, Heydar Aliyev Foundation plays an active role in the humanitarian and cultural cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy. "This cooperation has been going on for years and will continue to expand," he added.
He emphasized that President Aliyev's visit to Italy will contribute to the military cooperation between the two countries.
Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry and Italian company Leonardo S.p.A have signed a document on the purchase of the M-346 aircraft integration system.
"All this will further strengthen the relations between the two countries," Karimli said.