Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, has held an extensive meeting with Elkhan Polukhov, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Egypt, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation, advancing economic relations between the two countries, and exchanging expertise in sustainable development. The discussions come amid growing momentum in Egyptian-Azerbaijani relations, supported directly by President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Rostom expressed his appreciation for the strategic and longstanding partnership between Egypt and Azerbaijan, stressing his aspiration to work closely with Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy to exchange perspectives and formulate a new phase of economic cooperation that supports development efforts in both countries and capitalises on their significant capabilities and resources. The minister reviewed Egypt’s accumulated experience in structural reform and comprehensive development, highlighting the country’s ability to maintain macroeconomic stability and pursue a flexible national vision aimed at empowering the private sector and stimulating investment despite prevailing regional and international geopolitical challenges. He also pointed to Egypt’s adoption of advanced digital tools and mechanisms to monitor progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), underscoring the government’s commitment to sustainable and data-driven development. Rostom praised the outcomes of previous sessions of the Egyptian-Azerbaijani Joint Committee, noting that they had successfully opened new avenues for cooperation across a range of sectors. He added that the current period presents an ideal opportunity to leverage the strengths of both countries in a manner that supports development priorities and deepens economic relations. For his part, Polukhov reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s appreciation for its strong and historic ties with Egypt and highlighted the commitment of both countries’ leaderships to further strengthening bilateral relations in line with shared priorities. He noted that this momentum has been reinforced by the positive outcomes of President El-Sisi’s landmark visit to Baku and President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Cairo. The ambassador also highlighted recent positive developments, particularly the launch of direct flights between Baku and Cairo earlier this year, which he said would facilitate bilateral trade, support business communities and investment companies, and broaden development cooperation beyond its traditional framework. Polukhov further referred to ongoing preparations for the annual meetings of the Islamic Development Bank Group in Baku, as well as Azerbaijan’s hosting of the upcoming summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), both of which are expected to discuss and endorse major regional and international development initiatives. He also underscored Azerbaijan’s interest in benefiting from Egypt’s pioneering experience and extensive expertise in the development of smart cities and infrastructure that supports the transition towards a green economy. The meeting reflected the growing depth of Egyptian-Azerbaijani relations and the shared commitment of both countries to expanding economic cooperation, promoting sustainable development, and creating new opportunities for investment and partnership.The post Egypt’s planning minister discusses new phase of partnership with Azerbaijan first appeared on Dailynewsegypt.
