Azerbaijani President: We have very strong political and economic relations with Italy

Baku, September 1, AZERTAC “In April this year, the foundation of a new educational building was laid at the campus of ADA University in Baku with the participation of Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio. Cooperation between leading Italian universities and ADA University will strengthen the already friendly relations between the two countries,” said President Ilham Aliyev, as he addressed a ceremony to exchange signed documents on the establishment of the Italy-Azerbaijan University. “Two documents on strategic partnership have been signed between Italy and Azerbaijan. We have very strong political and economic relations. Italy is Azerbaijan’s first trading partner. Last year, our turnover reached 9.6 billion dollars, and in seven months of this year, it has been 11 billion dollars. Today's ceremony shows that we will act as a strategic partner in the field of education in the future,” the head of state said. “It is no secret that the development of each country is not determined by natural resources, but by knowledge, competence and technological progress. In Azerbaijan, we are channeling the revenues obtained from natural resources into human capital, and today's event is clear evidence of that. At the same time, I am sure that the Italy-Azerbaijan University will become a center of Italian-Azerbaijani friendship. In other words, I think that today we are witnessing a historic event. Today is the first day of my working visit to Italy and this is the first event. I am sure that the upcoming meetings with Italian leaders will further strengthen our friendship and partnership,” President Ilham Aliyev added.