ISTANBUL

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday described relations with Bulgaria as strategic and praised ongoing bilateral cooperation in energy and international platforms during a meeting with Nataliya Kiselova, a Bulgarian lawmaker.

Kiselova is in Baku to attend the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC).

Aliyev welcomed Kiselova's participation in the BSEC meeting and expressed confidence that her visit would strengthen bilateral relations.

“Our political relations are at a high level, and we are pleased with the active engagement in the energy sector in recent years,” Aliyev said, according to state news agency AZERTAC.

Kiselova, for her part, expressed gratitude for the steady progress made in Azerbaijani-Bulgarian relations, emphasizing the importance of the two countries' Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership.

Both sides emphasized the role of the BSEC Parliamentary Assembly in fostering regional parliamentary cooperation.

The meeting marked the transition of the BSEC chairmanship from Azerbaijan to Bulgaria, with praise for Baku’s successful tenure.

It was also noted that Azerbaijan and Bulgaria enjoy close collaboration in various international organizations and share a commitment to expanding ties in trade, energy—including renewables—and other sectors.

The BSEC Assembly, which brings together member states from the wider Black Sea region, aims to promote dialogue and economic cooperation through parliamentary diplomacy.