Historical background to the document "From the talk of the President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev with the chairman of the Assembly of the Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Saleh bin Humeyd" (June 7, 2003)


Relations between the one of the influential states of the Islamic world of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan develop in the atmosphere of friendship and cooperation. The kingdom recognized the independence of Azerbaijan on December 30, 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two states were established in February 1992.

Saudi Arabia was more active in rendering assistance to the refugees and IDPs driven out of their lands as a result of the aggression of Armenia against Azerbaijan. In the international organizations, especially in the framework of the Organization of Islamic Conference, Saudi Arabia always supported the resolutions which reflected the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and declared Armenia as an aggressor.

The visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev to Saudi Arabia in July 1994 was an important step in the development of the Azerbaijani-Saudi Arabian relations. During the visit Heydar Aliyev made a pilgrimage to Mecca and visited the grave of Prophet Mohammed (s) in Medina. The Azerbaijani president met the guardian of the two holy mosques, king of Saudi Arabia Fahd bin Abdulazez.

Representatives of Saudi Arabia also paid visits to Azerbaijan. In 1992 the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom visited Azerbaijan. After Heydar Aliyev`s visit to that country, foreign minister, minister of Saudi Arabia paid visit to Azerbaijan for Islamic affairs, and deputy minister for settlement.

In September 2002 minister of oil and natural resources of Saudi Arabia visited Azerbaijan. The Saudi Arabian "Delta" oil company is a part of the "Contract of the century".

In June 2003 the chairman of the Assembly of the Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Saleh bin Humeyd visited Azerbaijan. During the visit he met President Heydar Aliyev. In his talk with the Azerbaijani President Saleh bin Humeyd once again confirmed his country`s decisive and stable position connected with the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

As a sign of sustainable development between the two countries, President of Azerbaijan lham Aliyev visited Saudi Arabia in March 2005. During the visit an agreement on economic cooperation were signed with the leadership of the Kingdom.

In his talk with the chairman of the Assembly of the Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Saleh bin Humeyd on June 7, 2003, the Azerbaijani President Heydar Aiyev said that the contacts between Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan develop in all the spheres and arrival of more investments from this country to Azerbaijan were desirable. He stressed that Azerbaijan is an Islamic state and it will go on to maintain friendly and fraternal relations with Saudi Arabia.

Historical background was compiled on August 21, 2006.