BILATERAL RELATIONS

1.Brief information:

The Government of the Republic of Bulgaria recognized the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan on January 14, 1992 and the diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on June 5,1992. In December 1999 the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Republic of Azerbaijan was opened. On April 16, 2004 the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the establishment of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Bulgaria.

2.Legal basis:

74 agreements were signed between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria.

June 05, 1992 – signed in Oslo – Protocol on the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria.
June 29, 1995 – signed in Sofia – Agreement of friendship and cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria.
June 29, 1995 – signed in Sofia – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria on air transportation between and beyond their respective territories.
June 29, 1995 – signed in Sofia - Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria for international road transport for passengers and commodities
June 29, 1995 – signed in Sofia – Agreement between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria on legal assistance over civil issues.
June 29, 1995 – signed in Sofia – Agreement between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria on legal assistance over criminal issues.
June 29, 1995 – signed in Sofia – Agreement between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria on extradition.
November 09, 1997 – signed in Baku – Protocol of cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.
December 02, 1999 – signed in Baku – Joint Declaration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the President of the Republic of Bulgaria.
December 02, 1999 – signed in Baku – Agreement for cooperation between the State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the National Statistical Institute of the Republic of Bulgaria.
December 02, 1999 – signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria for mutual cooperation in custom matters.
December 02, 1999 – signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria for cooperation in the field of tourism.
October 31, 2001 – signed in Shumen - Agreement for cooperation between the Baku Slavic University and the Konstantin Preslavsky University of Shumen .
September 25, 2002 – signed in Sofia - Agreement for cooperation in the military field between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria.
October 10, 2002 – signed in Sofia -Agreement for cooperation between the Baku Slavic University and the Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski.
October 07, 2004 – signed in Baku – Joint Communiqué of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the President of the Republic of Bulgaria Georgi Parvanov.
October 07, 2004 – signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria for cooperation in the fields of public health and medicine.
October 07, 2004 – signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria on trade navigation.
October 07, 2004 – signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria on international combined transportation of commodities.
October 07, 2004 – signed in Baku – Protocol of the Second Meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission for trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria.
October 07, 2004 – signed in Baku – Agreement for cooperation between the Azerbaijani State Telegraph Agency (AzerTAc) and the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).
September 23, 2005 – signed in Sofia – Joint Declaration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the President of the Republic of Bulgaria.
September 23, 2005 – signed in Sofia – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria on facilitation of the visa regime.
September 23, 2005 – signed in Sofia – Memorandum of cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria on European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
September 23, 2005 – signed in Sofia – Protocol of understanding between the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the National Customs Agency of the Republic of Bulgaria on the enforcement of the customs cooperation, including relevant professional training and enhancement of the qualification of the professional staff.
September 23, 2005 – signed in Sofia – Protocol of further cooperation between the aviation authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria.
September 23, 2005 – signed in Sofia – Memorandum of cooperation between the Azerbaijani Television and Radio Broadcasting Closed Joint - Stock Company (AzTV) and the Bulgarian National Television (BNT)
September 19, 2006 – signed in Baku – Agreement for cooperation in the field of youth policy and sports between the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Agency of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Bulgaria.
May 15, 2007 – signed in Baku – Agreement for cooperation between the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Bulgaria.
November 12, 2007 – signed in Baku – Agreement for economic cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria.
November 12, 2007 – signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria for cooperation in the sphere of antimonopoly policy and competition protection.
November 12, 2007 – signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and property.
April 18, 2008 – signed in Sofia – Memorandum of understanding on consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.
September 30, 2008 – signed in Sofia – Protocol of the Third Meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission for trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria.
June 03, 2009 – signed in Baku - Agreement for cooperation between the Baku Slavic University and the Bulgarian University of National and World Economy.
November 13, 2009 – signed in Sofia – Memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of energy between the Ministry of Industry and Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria.
April 16, 2010 – signed in Sofia - Agreement for cooperation between the Azerbaijani State University of Culture and Art and the Bulgarian National Academy of Art.
April 16, 2010 – signed in Sofia - Agreement for cooperation between the Azerbaijani State University of Culture and Art and the Bulgarian National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts.
September 23, 2010 – signed in Baku – Memorandum of cooperation between the State Committee on Property Issues of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Privatization and Post-Privatization Control Agency of the Republic of Bulgaria.
April 08, 2011 – signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria for cooperation in the field of culture.
November 14, 2011 - signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria of mutual protection and exchange of classified information.
November 14, 2011 – signed in Baku – Agreement for cooperation between the Azerbaijani State Economic University and the Bulgarian University of National and World Economy.
November 14, 2011 – signed in Baku – Memorandum of cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Diplomatic Institute to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.
November 14, 2011 – signed in Baku – Memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of the Republic of Bulgaria.
November 29, 2011 – signed in Baku – Agreement for cooperation between the Azerbaijani National Academy of Sciences and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
April 26, 2012 – signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria for cooperation in the fight against crime.
April 26, 2012 – signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria for cooperation in the field on emergency situations.
April 26, 2012 – signed in Baku – Memorandum of understanding between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and the Bulgarian Energy Holding in the field of natural gas and oil.
April 26, 2012 – signed in Baku – Memorandum of understanding between the Azerbaijani Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
July 02, 2012 – signed in Baku – Memorandum of cooperation between the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Bulgaria.
September 18, 2012 – signed in Sofia – Memorandum of understanding between the Azerbaijani Medical University and the Medical University - Sofia
October 03, 2012 – signed in Baku – Agreement for cooperation between the Baku State University and the Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski.
October 05, 2012 – signed in Baku – Agreement between Public Radio Television Broadcasting Company (ITV) and Bulgarian National Television (BNT)
October 05, 2012 – signed in Baku – Agreement for cooperation in exchange of information between the Azerbaijani International News Agency “TREND” and the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).
November 12, 2012 – signed in Baku - Protocol of cooperation in the field of jurisdiction between the Supreme Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Supreme Court of Cassation of the Republic of Bulgaria.
May 16, 2013 – signed in Baku - Memorandum of Understanding between the Baku High Oil School and the Technical University of Sofia.
May 16, 2013 – signed in Baku - Memorandum of Understanding between the Baku High Oil School and the Bourgas University “Prof. Assen Zlatarov”.
May 16, 2013 – signed in Baku - Memorandum of Understanding between the Baku High Oil School and the Technical University of Gabrovo.
May 24, 2013 – signed in Sofia - Agreement on Creating the Azerbaijani Language and Culture Centre in the Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski between the Baku Slavic University and the Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski.
February 20, 2014 – signed in Baku - Memorandum of understanding between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria on cooperation in the field of Environment Protection.
February 20, 2014 – signed in Baku - Agreement on cooperation between the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Bulgaria.
February 20, 2014 – signed in Baku - Memorandum of understanding between the Baku State University and the St.Cyril and St.Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo.
May 23, 2014 - signed in Baku - Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of agriculture between the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Bulgaria
May 23, 2014 - signed in Baku - Agreement on cooperation between the Azerbaijan State Agrarian University and the Agriculture University of Plovdiv.
June 30, 2014- signed in Baku - Cooperation Programme between the Prosecutor’s office of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Prosecutors’s office of the Republic of Bulgaria
September 19, 2014 – signed in Baku – Joint Declaration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the President of the Republic of Bulgaria
September 20, 2014 – signed in Baku - Memorandum of understanding between the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan “SOCAR” and “Bulgartransgaz” on exploring the opportunities for cooperation in the project for development of the Chiren gas storage facility.
September 20, 2014 – signed in Baku – Protocol of intentions between the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan “SOCAR” and “Bulgargaz”
November 04, 2014 - signed in Baku - Agreement for cooperation and information exchange between Trend information agency (Azerbaijan) and Focus information agency (Bulgaria)
.
March 04, 2015 – signed in Sofia – Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria.
March 04, 2015 – signed in Sofia – Agreement between the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the government of the Republic of Bulgaria for cooperation in the field of electronic communications, information technology and e-governance.
March 04, 2015 – signed in Sofia – Protocol on the expansion of the cooperation in the field of tourism between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria.
April 17, 2015 – signed in Sofia – Memorandum of Understanding on mutual cooperation between Azerbaijan National Library named after M.F.Akhundov and St. St. Cyril and Methodius National Library of the Republic of Bulgaria.
April 20, 2015 – signed in Baku – Agreement on cooperation between Baku Higher Oil School and „Angel Kanchev“ University of Ruse

3. High-Level Mutual Visits and Meetings:

3.1 Heads of State:

June 29-30, 1995 an official visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. H. Aliyev to the Republic of Bulgaria.

September 07-08, 1998 a working visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. P.Stoyanov to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the International Conference on Restoration of the Historic Silk Route, which was held in Baku.

December 2-3, 1999 an official visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. P. Stoyanov to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

October 7-8, 2004 an official visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. G. Parvanov to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

September 23-24, 2005 an official visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. I. Aliyev to the Republic of Bulgaria.

March 10-12, 2008 a working visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. G. Parvanov to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

January 22, 2009 a working visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. G. Parvanov to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

November 13, 2009 a working visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. I. Aliyev to the Republic of Bulgaria

June 30 - July 1, 2010 a working visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. G. Parvanov to the Republic of Azerbai

November 14-15, 2011 an official visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. G.Parvanov to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

September 19-20, 2014 a working visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. R. Plevneliev to the Republic of Azerbaijan to participate at the 20th anniversary of the Contract of the Century and the Southern Gas Corridor groundbreaking ceremony, which was held in Baku on September 20, 2014.

November 19-21, 2014 visit of the Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria Mrs. M.Popova to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend at the 3rd session of the Assembly of Parties of the International Anti-Corruption Academy, which was held in Baku on 19-21 November, 2014

March 03-05, 2015 an official visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr I. Aliyev to the Republic of Bulgaria.

April 27 -29, 2015 a working visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr R.Plevneliev to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the Third Global Forum on Shared Societies, which was held in Baku

May 17-21, 2015 a visit of the Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mrs M.Popova to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the Third World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, which was held in Baku

June 28-29, 2015 a working visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. R.Plevneliev to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the Closing Ceremony of the First European Olympic Games, which was held in Baku on June 28, 2015.

3.2 Heads of Government:

October 06-07, 2004 visit of the delegation, led by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Transport and Communication of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Co-Chairman of the Intergovernmental Joint Commission H.E. Mr. N.Vasiliev, to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the second meeting of the Intergovernmental Joint Commission.

November 12-13, 2007 an official visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. S. Stanishev to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

September 29-30, 2008 visit of the delegation, led by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani Co-Chairman of the Intergovernmental Joint Commission H.E. Mr. A. Sharifov to the Republic of Bulgaria to attend the third meeting of the Intergovernmental Joint Commission.

April 26-27, 2012 an official visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. B.Borisov to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

December 17, 2013 a working visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr.P.Oresharski to the Republic of Azerbaijan to participate at the ceremony to sign final investment document on Shahdeniz-2 project.

February 19-20, 2014 an official visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. P.Oresharski to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

May 26 - 27, 2015 a working visit of the delegation headed by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr E.Afandiyev to the Republic of Bulgaria.

June 11 - 13, 2015 a working visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr B.Borisov to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the Opening Ceremony of the First European Olympic Games, which was held in Baku on June 12, 2015.

3.3 Chairmen of Parliament:

September 27-30, 2004 an official visit of the Chairman of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. M. Alasgarov to the Republic of Bulgaria.

November 24-25, 2006 an official visit of the Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. G. Pirinski to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

May 19-21, 2008 an official visit of the Chairman of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. O. Asadov to the Republic of Bulgaria.

May 13-15, 2012 an official visit of the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mrs. T.Tsacheva to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

November 27-28, 2012 a working visit of the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mrs. Ts. Tsacheva to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the 40^th Plenary Session of the General Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC). At the Plenary Session the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mrs. Ts. Tsacheva officially took over the rotating PABSEC Presidency from the Chairman of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. O. Asadov.

December 18-21, 2012 a working visit of the Vice-President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. Pirinski to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the 5^th session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the GUAM – Organization for Democracy and Economic Development.

3.4 Ministers:

3.4(a) Foreign Ministers:

November 09-10, 1997 visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mrs. N.Mikhaylova to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

March 15-16, 2004 visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, current OSCE chairman, H.E. Mr. S. Passy to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

April 30, 2004 a visit of the delegation, led by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. I. Petkov, to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the meeting of the Heads of the delegations of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Member States in Baku.

December 04-05, 2004 a visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. E. Mammadyarov to the Republic of Bulgaria for the participation in the 12th meeting of the OSCE Council of Ministers.

April 17-18, 2008 an official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. E. Mammadyarov to the Republic of Bulgaria.

October 22, 2009 a visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mrs. R. Jeleva to the Republic of Azerbaijan for the participation in the meeting of the Council of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).

May 18, 2010, a visit of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. M.Mammad-Quliyev to the Republic of Bulgaria for the participation in the 22nd meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).

December 11-12, 2012 a visit of the delegation, which consisted of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. N.Mladenov, the Head of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Poland H.E. Mr. J. Mikhailovsky and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden H.E. Mr. G. Bildt to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

February 04-07, 2014 a visit of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Kh.Khalafov to the Republic of Bulgaria to attend at first political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which were held in Sofia.

February 19-20, 2014 a visit of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. A.Velichkov to the Republic of Azerbaijan within the Bulgarian delegation, in the framework of the official visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. P.Oresharski to the Republic of Azerbaijan;

June 18-20, 2014, visit of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. M.Mammad-Quliyev to the Republic of Bulgaria for the participation on the 30^th meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).

March 03-05, 2015 a visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr E.Mammadyarov to the Republic of Bulgaria within the Azerbaijani delegation, in the framework of the official visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr I.Aliyev to the Republic of Bulgaria.

3.4(b) Other Ministers:

September 25-27, 2002 an official visit of the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. S. Abiyev to the Republic of Bulgaria.

November 04 - 05, 2003 an official visit of the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. N. Svinarov to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

January 19-23, 2004 an official visit of the Minister of Youth, Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. A. Garayev to the Republic of Bulgaria.

April 15-17, 2004 visit of the delegation, led by the Deputy Minister of Education of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. K. Velev, to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the meeting of the Ministers of Education of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) member countries.

October 25-27, 2004 an official visit of the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. S. Abiyev to the Republic of Bulgaria.

November 23, 2004 an official visit of the Director-General of the National Customs Agency of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. A. Asenov to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

September 18-20, 2006 visit of the delegation, led by the Chairman of the State Agency of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Bulgaria Mrs. V. Lecheva to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

April 16-17, 2007 visit of the Minister of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. K.Heydarov to the Republic of Bulgaria.

May 15-19, 2007 an official visit of the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. G.Petkanov to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

May 11-13, 2008 an official visit of the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. V.Bliznakov to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

June 02-05, 2008 a working visit of the Minister of Economy and Energy of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. P.Dimitrov to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

September 23, 2010 an official visit of the Executive Director of the Privatization and Post-Privatization Control Agency of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. E. Karanikolov to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

April 06-09, 2011 visit of the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. V. Rashidov to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue which was held in Baku.

July 18-21, 2011 an official visit of the Chairman of State Committee on State Property issues of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr.K.Hasanov to the Republic of Bulgaria.

September 10-12, 2011 visit of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E Mr. S. Konstantinov to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the 61st session of the World Health Organization Committee for Europe, which was held in Baku.

September 21-22, 2011 an official visit of the Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. T. Traykov to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

November 14-15, 2011, visits of the Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. T.Traykov, the Minister of Labour and Social Policy of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. T.Mladenov and the Chairperson of the State Commission on Information Security of the Republic of Bulgaria Mrs. T. Markova to the Republic of Azerbaijan within the Bulgarian delegation, in the framework of the official visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. G.Parvanov to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

April 09-10, 2012 an official visit of the Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr.F.Alakbarov to the Republic of Bulgaria.

April 12 - 14, 2012 visit of the delegation, led by the Deputy Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. I.Marinov, to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the 11th International Travel and Tourism Fair (AITF), which was held in Baku.

April 16-20, 2012 visit of the Head of Cabinet of the Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. M. Khristov to the Repulic of Azerbaijan to attend the 28th European Regional Conference of the FAO and the 37th session of the European Commission on Agriculture, which were held in Baku.

April 26-27, 2012 visits of the Bulgarian Co-Chairman of the Intergovernmental Joint Comission, the Minister of Transport, Information Technologies and Communications of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. I. Moskovski, the Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. D. Dobrev and the Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. M.Naydenov to the Republic of Azerbaijan within the Bulgarian delegation, in the framework of the official visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. B.Borisov to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

May 31 – June 1, 2012 an official visit of the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. S. Abiyev to the Republic of Bulgaria.

July 05-06, 2012 an official visit of the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. A. Garayev to the Republic of Bulgaria.

September 24-25, 2012 a working visit of the Chairman of State Committee on State Property issues of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr.K.Hasanov to the Republic of Bulgaria.

October 22-24, 2012 an official visit of the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. F.Mammadov to the Republic of Bulgaria.

November 02, 2012 a working visit of the Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. D.Dobrev to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

November 04-06, 2012 visit of the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mrs. L.Pavlova to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

February 11-12, 2014 visit of the Minister of Economy and Energy of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. D.Stoynev to the Republic of Azerbaijan;

February 19-20, 2014 visits of the Minister of Transport, Information Technologies and Communications of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. D.Papazov, the Minister of Economy and Energy of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. D.Stoynev, the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. P.Chobanov,the Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. D.Greko, the Minister of Environment and Water of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mrs. I.Mixaylova and Deputy Minister of Economy and Energy of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. B.Botev within the Bulgarian delegation, in the framework of the official visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. P.Oresharski to the Republic of Azerbaijan;

April 14-15, 2014 visit of the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. N.Aliyev to the Republic of Bulgaria;

April 24-26, 2014 visit of the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. I.Babayev to the Republic of Bulgaria to participate at the meeting of the Ministers of Youth and Sport of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), which was held on April 25, 2014 in Varna.

May 22-24, 2014 working visit of the Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. D.Grekov to the Republic of Azerbaijan to participate at the 8th Azerbaijan International Agriculture Exhibition ( Agrihort 2014)

September 19-20, 2014 visit of the Minister of Economy and Energy of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. V.Shtonov within the Bulgarian delegation, in the framework of the working visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. R. Plevneliev to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

October 28-30, 2014 visit of the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. K. Kamenov to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend at the First Global Forum on Youth Policies, which was held in Baku on October 28-30, 2014.

December 03, 2014 visit of the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. T.Tanev to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend on High-level meeting of Ministers of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) countries on Cooperation in Science and Technology, which was held in Baku on December 03, 2014

February 09-10, 2015 a working visit of the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E Mr. B. Lukarski to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

February 11-12, 2015 a working visit of the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mrs. T. Petkova to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the first meeting of the Advisory Council of the Southern Gas Corridor project, which was held in

March 03-05, 2015 visits of the Co-Chairman of the Intergovernmental Joint Commission, the Minister of Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr Z.Mammadov, the Minister of Economy and Industry H.E. Mr Sh.Mustafayev, the Minister of Energy H.E. Mr N.Aliyev and the Minister of Information and High Technologies H.E. Mr A.Abbasov to the Republic of Bulgaria within Azerbaijani delegation, in the framework of the official visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr I.Aliyev to the Republic of Bulgaria.Baku on February 12, 2015.

May 17-21, 2015 a visit of the Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mrs N.Angelkova to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the Third World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, which was held in Baku.

May 17-21, 2015 a visit of the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr V.Rashidov to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the Third World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, which was held in Baku.

November 17-18, 2015 a visit of the Minister of Environment and Water of the Republic of Bulgaria Mrs. Ivelina Vasileva to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend at the 6th International Exhibition for Environmental Protection “Caspian: Technologies for Environment” (CTE 2015), which was held in Baku on November 18-20, 2015;

January 26-27, 2016 a visit of the president of the National Statistical Institute of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. Sergey Tsvetarsky to attend at the conference launching the second phase of the twinning project “Support to the State Statistical Committee in Modernisation of the National Statistics System of the Republic of Azerbaijan in line with European standards”.

4. Economic relations:

4.1 Main areas of cooperation:

Export of Azerbaijani gas to Bulgaria (TAP and TANAP projects), light industry, agriculture, infrastructure, tourism, sport and the pharmaceutical industry.

4.2. Chronology of the meetings of the Intergovernmental Joint Commission:

The Intergovernmental Joint Commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical issues was established in 1999 between the Governments of Azerbaijan and Bulgaria.

Meetings	Date	Place
I meeting	30.06.2000	Sofia
II meeting	07.10.2004	Baku
III meeting	29-30.09.2008	Sofia

4.3 Trade turnover:

(mln.U.S.D $)

Year	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015 (january-june)
Trade turnover	446,3	623,54	138.68	124,59	6,0
Export	410,4	597,56	119.11	61,15	0
Import	35,9	25,98	19.57	63,44	6,0

http://www.economy.gov.az/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3383:bolqaristan2015&catid=122:xt2015&lang=az

4.4 Chronology of business forums:

On September 21, 2011 during the visit of the Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E.T.Traykov to the Republic of Azerbaijan, an Azerbaijani – Bulgarian business forum was held in Baku, in which around 80 entrepreneurs participated.

On April 27, 2012 in the framework of the official visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. B.Borisov to the Republic of Azerbaijan, an Azerbaijani – Bulgarian business meeeting between the Heads of the biggest Azerbaijani and Bulgarian companies was held in Baku.

On November 05, 2012 in the framework of the visit of the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mrs. L.Pavlova to the Republic of Azerbaijan, an Azerbaijani – Bulgarian business forum was held in Baku, in which the Heads of the biggest companies in the fields of logistics, transport and construction participated.

4.5 Signed documents

June 29, 1995 – signed in Sofia – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria on air transportation between and beyond their respective territories.

June 29, 1995 – signed in Sofia - Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria for international road transport for passengers and commodities

December 02, 1999 – signed in Baku – Agreement for cooperation between the State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the National Statistical Institute of the Republic of Bulgaria.

December 02, 1999 – signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria for mutual cooperation in custom matters.

October 07, 2004 – signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria on trade navigation.

October 07, 2004 – signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria on international combined transportation of commodities.

October 07, 2004 – signed in Baku – Protocol of the Second Meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission for trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria.

September 23, 2005 – signed in Sofia – Protocol of understanding between the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the National Customs Agency of the Republic of Bulgaria on the enforcement of the customs cooperation, including relevant professional training and enhancement of the qualification of the professional staff.

September 23, 2005 – signed in Sofia – Protocol of further cooperation between the aviation authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria.

November 12, 2007 – signed in Baku – Agreement for economic cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria.

November 12, 2007 – signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria for cooperation in the sphere of antimonopoly policy and competition protection.

November 12, 2007 – signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and property.

September 30, 2008 – signed in Sofia – Protocol of the Third Meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission for trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria.

November 13, 2009 – signed in Sofia – Memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of energy between the Ministry of Industry and Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria

September 23, 2010 – signed in Baku – Memorandum of cooperation between the State Committee on Property Issues of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Privatization and Post-Privatization Control Agency of the Republic of Bulgaria.

April 26, 2012 – signed in Baku – Memorandum of understanding between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and the Bulgarian Energy Holding in the field of natural gas and oil.

April 26, 2012 – signed in Baku – Memorandum of understanding between the Azerbaijani Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
February 20, 2014 – signed in Baku – Memorandum on understanding between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria on cooperation in the field of Environment Protection;

February 20, 2014 – signed in Baku – Agreement on cooperation between the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Bulgaria;

May 23, 2014 – signed in Baku – Memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of agriculture between the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Bulgaria;
September 20, 2014 – signed in Baku - Memorandum of understanding between the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan “SOCAR” and “Bulgartransgaz” on exploring the opportunities for cooperation in the project for development of the Chiren gas storage facility.

September 20, 2014 – signed in Baku – Protocol of intentions between the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan “SOCAR” and “Bulgargaz.

March 04, 2015 – signed in Sofia – Agreement between the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the government of the Republic of Bulgaria for cooperation in the field of electronic communications, information technology and e-governance.

5. Bilateral cooperation in other areas

5.1 Political relations

5.1 (a) Signed documents

June 05, 1992 – signed in Oslo – Protocol on the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria.

June 29, 1995 – signed in Sofia – Agreement of friendship and cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria.

November 09, 1997 – signed in Baku – Protocol of cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.

December 02, 1999 – signed in Baku – Joint Declaration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the President of the Republic of Bulgaria.

October 07, 2004 – signed in Baku – Joint Communiqué of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the President of the Republic of Bulgaria Georgi Parvanov.

September 23, 2005 – signed in Sofia – Joint Declaration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the President of the Republic of Bulgaria.

September 23, 2005 – signed in Sofia – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria on facilitation of the visa regime.

September 23, 2005 – signed in Sofia – Memorandum of cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria on European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

April 18, 2008 – signed in Sofia – Memorandum of understanding on consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.

November 14, 2011 – signed in Baku – Memorandum of cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Diplomatic Institute to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.

September 19, 2014 – signed in Baku – Joint Declaration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the President of the Republic of Bulgaria.

March 04, 2015 – signed in Sofia – Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria.

5.2 Inter-Parliamentary relations:

5.2 (a) Inter-parliamentary friendship groups:

Head of the group from the Azerbaijani side: Rauf Aliyev

Head of the group from the Bulgarian side: Korman İsmailov

5.2 (b) The mutual visits of the Heads of the inter-parliamentary friendship groups and the Heads of commissions:

January 23-24, 2005 visit of the delegation, led by the Head of the inter- parliamentary friendship group Bulgaria-Azerbaijan of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. R. Osman, to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

May 15-18, 2006 visit of the delegation, led by the Head of the inter- parliamentary friendship group Azerbaijan-Bulgaria of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. A. Houseynli, to the Republic of Bulgaria.

June 16-18, 2006 visit of the delegation, led by the Chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. S. Passy, to the Republic of Azerbaijan;

December 10-12, 2006 visit of the Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Head of the Bulgarian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Mr. Y. Loutfi to the Republic of Azerbaijan for the participation in the meeting of the Committee of Political Affairs of PACE.

July 03-05, 2012 visit of the parliamentary delegation, led by the Head of the inter-parliamentary friendship group Azerbaijan-Bulgaria of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. S. Novruzov, to the Republic of Bulgaria. During the visit, on July 05, 2012 an exhibition was organized by the inter-parliamentary friendship group Bulgaria-Azerbaijan of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, the inter-parliamentary friendship group Azerbaijan– Bulgaria of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Bulgaria dedicated to the 20^th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria. During the exhibition the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mrs. Ts. Tsacheva, the Head of the inter-parliamentary friendship group Azerbaijan – Bulgaria of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. S. Novruzov, the Head of the inter-parliamentary friendship group Bulgaria – Azerbaijan of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. R. Osman and the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. E. Karimov held speeches.

October 03-06, 2012 visits of the Chairman of the GERB parliamentary group of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. K.Velchev and the Head of the inter-parliamentary friendship group Bulgaria-Azerbaijan of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. R.Osman to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the II International Humanitarian Forum, which was held in Baku.

July 08-12, 2013 the Parliamentary delegation, led by the Head of the Azerbaijani delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economyc Cooperation (PABSEC) of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azebaijan Mr. A.Hajiyev, visited the Republic of Bulgaria to attend the 41th Plenary Session of the General Assembly of the PABSEC, which was held in Sofia on July 09-11, 2013.

5.3 Relations in judicial and legal fields.

5.3 (a) Mutual visits:

June 30 – July 03, 2012 an official visit of the Chairman of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. E. Tanchev to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

November 12-15, 2012 an official visit of the Chairman of the Supreme Court of Cassation of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. L. Gruev to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

June 17 – 21, 2013 visit of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. K. Penchev to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the 11th International Conference of Ombudsmen, which was held in Baku on June 18 -20, 2013.

July 11- 13, 2013 visit of the Chairman of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. D. Tokushev to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend an International Scientific Conference entitled “Constitutional Justice in the 21th Century. Features and Ways of Development” marking the 15th anniversary of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which was held in Baku on July 12, 2013.

November 19-22, 2013 an official visit of the Chairman of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr.F.Abdullayev to the Republic of Bulgaria.

June 29- July 02, 2014 visit of the Deputy General Prosecutor of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Republic of Azerbaijan, to attend on the international conference on Fight against corruption: international standards and national experiences;

5.3 (b) Signed documents:

June 29, 1995 – signed in Sofia – Agreement between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria on legal assistance over civil issues.

June 29, 1995 – signed in Sofia – Agreement between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria on legal assistance over criminal issues.

June 29, 1995 – signed in Sofia – Agreement between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Bulgaria on extradition.

May 15, 2007 – signed in Baku – Agreement for cooperation between the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Bulgaria.

July 02, 2012 – signed in Baku – Memorandum of cooperation between the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Bulgaria.

November 12, 2012 – signed in Baku - Protocol of cooperation in the field of jurisdiction between the Supreme Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Supreme Court of Cassation of the Republic of Bulgaria.

June 30, 2014- signed in Baku - Cooperation Programme between the Prosecutor’s office of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Prosecutors’s office of the Republic of Bulgaria.

5.4 Humanitarian relations:

5.4 (a) Mutual visits:

October 26-31, 2002 visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (1990-1997) Mr. Zh. Zhelev, at the invitation of the Rector of the Baku Slavic University to the Republic of Azerbaijan. During the visit, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (1990-1997) Mr. Zh. Zhelev was received by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. H. Aliyev.

September 11-12, 2006 visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (1990-1997) Mr. Zh. Zhelev to the Republic of Azerbaijan. During the visit, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (1990-1997) Mr. Zh. Zhelev was received by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr I. Aliyev.

October 09-12, 2011, visits of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (1990-1997) Mr. Zh.Zhelev and the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (1997-2002) Mr. P. Stoyanov to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the International Humanitarian Forum, which was held in Baku. During the visit, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (1997-2002) Mr. P. Stoyanov was received by the First Lady of Azerbaijan, UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva.

October 03-06, 2012, visits of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (1990-1997) Mr. Zh.Zhelev, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (1997-2002) Mr. P. Stoyanov, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (2002-2012) Mr. G.Parvanov and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria (2001-2005) Mr.S.Passy to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the II International Humanitarian Forum, which was held in Baku. During the visit, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (1997-2002) Mr. P. Stoyanov and the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (2002-2012) Mr.G. Parvanov were received by the First Lady of Azerbaijan, UNESCO and ISESCO Goodwill Ambassador, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva.

October 03-06, 2012 visits of the Mayor of Sofia Mrs. J.Fandikova, the Rector of the Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski Mr. I. Ilchev, the Rector of the Bulgarian National Academy of Arts Mr. S.Kokalov, the Rector of the Konstantin Preslavski University of Shumen Mrs. M. Georgieva, the Chairman of the Archives State Agency of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. M.Ivanov, the General Director of the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) Mr. M.Minchev, the General Director of the Bulgarian National Television Mrs. V. Ankova and the General Director of the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) Mr. V.Todorov to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the II International Humanitarian Forum, which was held in Baku.

December 17-18, 2012 visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (2002-2012) Mr. G. Parvanov to the Republic of Azerbaijan. During the visit, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (2002-2012) Mr. G. Parvanov was received by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E.Mr. I.Aliyev.

May 06 - 08, 2013 visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (1997 - 2002) Mr. P. Stoyanov to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the first South Caucasus Forum, which was co–organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and the Club de Madrid in Baku on May 07 - 08, 2013

May 29 – June 02, 2013 visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (2002 – 2012) Mr. G. Parvanov to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend the 2nd World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, which was held in Baku on May 29 – June 01, 2013.

August 04-06, 2013 visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (1997-2002)

Mr. P. Stoyanov to the Republic of Azerbaijan, to participate in High Level Preparatory Meeting of the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre and the Club de Madrid, which was held in Baku on August 05-06, 2013.

October 30 – November 02, 2013 visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (2002 – 2012) Mr. G. Parvanov to the Republic of Azerbaijan, to attend the III International Humanitarian Forum, which was held in Baku on October 31-November 01, 2013

April 27-29, 2014 visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (1997-2002) Mr. P. Stoyanov to the Republic of Azerbaijan, to attend the 2^nd Global Shared Societies Forum, which was held in Baku, on April 27-29,2014.

October 01-03, 2014 visit of the President of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences S.Vodenicharov to the Republic of Azerbaijan to attend at the IV Baku International Humanitarian Forum, which was held in Baku on October 01-02, 2014.

5.5 Cultural relations:

5.5 (a) Signed documents:

April 08, 2011 – signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria for cooperation in the field of culture.

May 27, 2015 – signed in Sofia – Agreement on conservation and restoration of Trapezitsa Architectural Museum Reserve and construction and repair of its technical infrastructure.

5.5 (b) Important cultural events

On March 11-15, 2013 the exhibition of Azerbaijani Painters was held in the Bulgarian National Academy of Arts in Sofia.

On September 25, 2013 the ceremony of the opening of the Centre of Azerbaijani Language and Culture as part of the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philology of the Sofia University St.Kliment Ohridski was held.

On January 30, 2014 the concert of Azerbaijani classic music in the performance of Sofia symphonic orchestra was held in Sofia .

On October 31, 2014 Secretary of the Union of Azerbaijani Writers National writer of Azerbaijan Mr. Chingiz Abdullayev was awarded with Honorable Doctor of Bulgarian University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT).

On November 06, 2014 by the initiative of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Bulgaria the concert of Azerbaijani classic music in the performance of Vidin symphonic orchestra was held in Vidin.

On November 26, 2014 on occasion of 90^th Anniversary of establishment of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic by the initiative of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Bulgaria the exhibition of the editions of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was held in Sofia.

On December 03, 2014 the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Bulgaria with the State Cultural Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria and under the auspices of Sofia Municipality organized the Presentation of Azerbaijani silk art of Kalaghai in Sofia.

On February 15, 2015 by the initiative of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Bulgaria under the auspices of Sofia Municipality the concert of Azerbaijani classic music named after " Karabakh's musical wreath " in the performance of Sofia symphonic orchestra was organized in Sofia.

On June 02, 2015 by the initiative of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Bulgaria the exhibition of the editions about Azerbaijan was held in the St. St. Cyril and Methodius National Library of the Republic of Bulgaria.

On September 16, 2015 the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Bulgaria with the Gabrovo Municipality organized the exhibition dedicated to the culture of the Shaki city in Gabrovo.

5.6 Relations in the fields of science and education:

5.6 (a) Mutual visits

On October 26, 2002 the President of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. Zh. Zhelev (1990-1997) during the visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan participated in the inauguration of his awarding to an Honorary Doctoral degree of the Baku Slavic University.

On October 07, 2004, in the framework of official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. G. Parvanov participated in the ceremony of the opening of the Center of the Bulgarian Language and Culture in the Baku Slavic University. Also, the President of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. G. Parvanov attended the inauguration of his awarding to an Honorary Doctoral degree of the Baku Slavic University.

November 14-15, 2011 visit of the Rector of the Bulgarian University of National and World Economy Mr. B. Borisov to the Republic of Azerbaijan within the Bulgarian delegation, in the framework of the official visit of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. G.Parvanov to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

November 28-30, 2011 an official visit of the President of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences prof. N. Sabotinov to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

On May 14, 2012 the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mrs. T. Tsacheva, in the framework of the official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan, visited the Center of the Bulgarian Language and Culture in the Baku Slavic University and met with the Rector of the Baku Slavic University Mr. K. Abdullayev. During the meeting, the possibilities of a traineeship in Bulgaria for the Azerbaijani students studying in the Baku Slavic University in B7ulgarian were discussed.

May 14 - 17, 2013 visit of the delegation, which consisted of the Rector of the Bourgas University “Prof. Assen Zlatarov” Mr. P. Petkov, the Rector of the Technical University of Gabrovo Mr. R. Ilarionov and the vice-Rector of the Technical University of Sofia Mr. I. Kralov to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

May 23 - 26, 2013 visit of the Rector of the Baku Slavic University Mr. K. Abdullayev to the Republic of Bulgaria to attend the Third international congress on Bulgarian Studies, which was held in Sofia on May 23-26, 2013.

September 25-28, 2013 visit of the delagation , led by the vice-rector of the Slavic University Mr. A.Hajiyev, to attend 125^th Anniversary of the Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski and the ceremony of the opening of the Centre of Azerbaijani Language and Culture as part of the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philology of the Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski.

February 19-20, 2014 visit of the Rector of the St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo Mr. P.Legkostup to the Republic of Azerbaijan within Bulgarian delegation, in the framework of the official visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria H.E. Mr. P.Oresharski to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

May 22-24, 2014 visit of the Rector of Agriculture University of Plovdiv Mrs. Hr. Yancheva to the Republic of Azerbaijan to participate at the 8th Azerbaijan International Agriculture Exhibition (Agrihort 2014), which was held in Baku on May 22-24, 2014.

April 19-20, 2015 visit of the Rector of the Bulgarian University of Ruse Angel Kanchev Mr. Hristo Beloev to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

5.6 (b) Signed documents:

October 31, 2001 – signed in Shumen - Agreement for cooperation between the Baku Slavic University and the Konstantin Preslavsky University of Shumen.

October 10, 2002 – signed in Sofia -Agreement for cooperation between the Baku Slavic University and the Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski.

June 03, 2009 – signed in Baku - Agreement for cooperation between the Baku Slavic University and the Bulgarian University of National and World Economy.

April 16, 2010 – signed in Sofia - Agreement for cooperation between the Azerbaijani State University of Culture and Art and the Bulgarian National Academy of Art.

April 16, 2010 – signed in Sofia - Agreement for cooperation between the Azerbaijani State University of Culture and Art and the Bulgarian National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts.

November 14, 2011 – signed in Baku – Agreement for cooperation between the Azerbaijani State Economic University and the Bulgarian University of National and World Economy.

November 29, 2011 – signed in Baku – Agreement for cooperation between the Azerbaijani National Academy of Sciences and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

September 18, 2012 – signed in Sofia – Memorandum of understanding between the Azerbaijani Medical University and the Medical University - Sofia

October 03, 2012 – signed in Baku – Agreement for cooperation between the Baku State University and the Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski.

May 16, 2013 – signed in Baku - Memorandum of Understanding between the Baku High Oil School and the Technical University of Sofia.

May 16, 2013 – signed in Baku - Memorandum of Understanding between the Baku High Oil School and the Bourgas University “Prof. Assen Zlatarov”.

May 16, 2013 – signed in Baku - Memorandum of Understanding between the Baku High Oil School and the Technical University of Gabrovo.

May 24, 2013 – signed in Sofia - Agreement on Creating the Azerbaijani Language and Culture Centre in the Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski between the Baku Slavic University and the Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski.

February 20, 2014 - signed in Baku – Memorandum of understanding between Baku State University the and St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo.

May 23, 2014- signed in Baku – Agreement on cooperation in the field of agriculture between Azerbaijan State Agricultural University and Agricultural University of Plovdiv.

April 20, 2015 - signed in Baku - Agreement for cooperation between the Baku High Oil School and the Bulgarian University of Ruse Angel Kanchev.

5.7 Relations in social security, health care, tourism and sports

5.7 (a) Signed documents:

December 02, 1999 – signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria for cooperation in the field of tourism.

October 07, 2004 – signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria for cooperation in the fields of public health and medicine.

September 19, 2006 – signed in Baku – Agreement for cooperation in the field of youth policy and sports between the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Agency of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Bulgaria.

November 14, 2011 – signed in Baku – Memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of the Republic of Bulgaria.

March 04, 2015 – signed in Sofia – Protocol on the expansion of the cooperation in the field of tourism between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria;

5.7 (b) Signed documents in other fields:

September 25, 2002 – signed in Sofia - Agreement for cooperation in the military field between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria.

October 07, 2004 – signed in Baku – Agreement for cooperation between the Azerbaijani State Telegraph Agency (AzerTAc) and the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).

September 23, 2005 – signed in Sofia – Memorandum of cooperation between the Azerbaijani Television and Radio Broadcasting Closed Joint - Stock Company (AzTV) and the Bulgarian National Television (BNT)

November 14, 2011 - signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria of mutual protection and exchange of classified information.

April 26, 2012 – signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria for cooperation in the fight against crime.

April 26, 2012 – signed in Baku – Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria for cooperation in the field on emergency situations.

October 05, 2012 – signed in Baku – Agreement for cooperation in exchange of information between the Azerbaijani International News Agency “TREND” and the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).

November 04, 2014 - signed in Baku - Agreement for cooperation and information exchange between Trend information agency (Azerbaijan) and Focus information agency (Bulgaria)

April 17, 2015 – signed in Sofia – Memorandum of Understanding on mutual cooperation between Azerbaijan National Library named after M.F.Akhundov and St. St. Cyril and Methodius National Library of the Republic of Bulgaria

5.8 Information about Azerbaijani diaspora

The total number of the citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan registered at the consular section of the Embassy the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Bulgaria is 17:

Living cities are -Sofia,Sliven,Vidin,Dobrich,Lovech,Varna,Plovdiv,Kirjali,

5.9 Relations between cities:

Shaki – Gabrovo

On October 7th 2004, the Mayors of Shaki and Gabrovo signed the Joined Declaration, hence proclaiming Shaki and Gabrovo as sister cities.

On October 24, 2012 in the framework of the official visit to the Republic of Bulgaria the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. F.Mammadov visited Gabrovo. During the visit, the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. F.Mammadov met with the Governor of Gabrovo region Mr.M.Kostadinov, the Mayor of Gabrovo Mrs. T.Khristova, the Chair of Gabrovo District Court Mrs. S.Gerova and the Prosecutor of the Gabrovo District Mr.M.Ivanov.

On February 20, 2013 Ambassador of the Repubic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Bulgaria E. Karimov visited Gabrovo. During the visit Ambassador of the Repubic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Bulgaria E.Karimov met with the Mayor of Gabrovo Mrs. T.Xristova and discussed issues of further development of the existing relations between Azerbaijani city Shaki and Bulgarian city Gabrovo.

On September 16, 2015 Ambassador of the Repubic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Bulgaria E. Karimov visited Gabrovo. During the visit Ambassador of the Repubic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Bulgaria E.Karimov met with the Mayor of Gabrovo Mrs. T.Xristova and with the Governor of Gabrovo region Mr. N.Sirakov and discussed issues of further development of the existing relations between Azerbaijani city Shaki and Bulgarian city Gabrovo.

Nakhchivan-Veliko Tarnovo

On July 15, 2014 the Ambassador of the Repubic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. Emil Z.Karimov visited the city of Veliko Tarnovo. During the visit, Ambassador of the Repubic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. Emil Z.Karimov met with the Mayor of the city of Veliko-Tarnovo Mr.D.Panov and discussed the issues of establishment of relations between Azerbaijani city Nakhchivan and Bulgarian city Veliko-Tarnovo.

On November 27-28 2014, the delegation led by Mayor of Nakhcivan city Mr. V.Safarov visited the city of Veliko-Tarnovo. During the visit, Mayor of Nakhcivan city Mr. V.Safarov met with the Mayor of the city of Veliko-Tarnovo Mr. Panov and discussed the issues of establishment of relations between Azerbaijani city Nakhcivan and Bulgarian city Veliko-Tarnovo.

6. Consular Relations

The address, telephone number / fax, and e-mail adress of the Consular section of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Bulgaria:

Republic of Bulgaria, Sofia 1113,Izgrev district, Apt. Iztok, Charles Darwin str. 6

Tel: (+3592) 8170074

Fax: (+3592) 8170074,8170077

E-mail: sofia@mission.mfa.gov.az

According to the agreement signed on 29 November, 2013 in Vilnius between the Azerbaijan Republic and European Union on the facilitation of the issuance of visas citizens of Azerbaijan Republic are able to arrive and leave the country on the basis of permit-visa application from 01.09.2014.

Bearers of a diplomatic and service passport can reside 90 days in the country without visa.

BILATERAL RELATIONS

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