In a speech delivered on this occasion, Mr. Nasser Bourita, pointed out that the relations between Morocco and Azerbaijan have showed significant progress under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

"Relations between our two countries have made significant and sustained progress, thanks to the guidance of HM King Mohammed VI and His Excellency President Ilham Aliyev, as well as to the enhancement of mutual trust and cultural ties between the two countries," said Mr. Bourita.

He added that the enlightened leadership of the two Heads of State have enabled the two countries to achieve greater development in a variety of fields, and to build the momentum of bilateral relations on their capital of shared values, based on mutual respect and a shared attachment to the principles of national sovereignty and historical legality.

Mr. Bourita noted that this meeting was a renewed opportunity to reaffirm the two countries' commitment to strengthening their bilateral relations and cooperation, and to identify key sectors for future collaboration and sharing experiences.

The Morocco-Azerbaijan Joint Commission, he noted, also represents an opportunity to exchange views and examine ways of establishing fruitful cooperation and a promising partnership in many fields, adding that this session also provides an opportunity to assess the investment potential on both sides, with a view to promoting joint projects in new strategic sectors, in addition to strengthening mechanisms for cultural exchanges and support for students and researchers, in particular by increasing the number of scholarships.

The aim is also to lay the foundations for triangular cooperation with African countries, to enable Africa to benefit from Azerbaijan's experience, and to promote bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector, through the launch of direct flights and the simplification of visa issuance, he stressed.

The Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency (AMDIE) will organize, on Tuesday, an economic forum aimed at giving fresh impetus to the bilateral economic partnership, and providing an opportunity for entrepreneurs and economic players from both countries to establish a promising bilateral partnership, concluded Mr. Bourita.

Speaking at the opening of the 2nd session of the Morocco-Azerbaijan Joint Cooperation Commission, Mr. Bayramov stressed that the two countries, which celebrated last year the 30th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations, enjoy close relations based on mutual esteem and underpinned by religious and cultural ties.

He also recalled the excellent record of mutual support for each country's initiatives and candidacies within various international organizations, expressing Azerbaijan's readiness to further strengthen its relations with the Kingdom.

Mr. Bayramov also called on Moroccan economic operators to seize the business opportunities offered in Azerbaijan, taking advantage of the cordial and regular ties between the two countries.

The volume of the bilateral trade and investment is extremely modest in comparison with the potential of both parties, he said, arguing that it is high time to consider expanding economic cooperation through the signing of bilateral investment agreements covering trade, energy, transport, agriculture and free zones.

He also hoped that the first Azerbaijan-Morocco business forum, to be held on Tuesday with the participation of Azerbaijani economic operators, would lead to positive results.

Mr. Bayramov invited Moroccan companies to examine business and investment opportunities in Azerbaijan, calling for developing partnerships in the port sector, he also spoke of the great potential for cooperation in education and research.

In this respect, he said that higher education institutes in Azerbaijan are interested in deepening relations with the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and other institutions, through the establishment of academic programs and student exchanges.

The Minister also highlighted the inter-parliamentary cooperation, underlining that it is an important pillar of the bilateral ties.