BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 27. The issues of
expanding cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United Nations
Office on Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), increasing the Office’s
presence in the country, and joint efforts to combat international
terrorism were discussed.


This was stated in a press release from the Azerbaijani Ministry
of Foreign Affairs following a meeting on October 27 between
Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Alexandre Zouev, the Acting
Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Head of the UN
Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT).


During the meeting, the parties reviewed the current state of
cooperation between Azerbaijan and UNOCT, as well as prospects for
its further development.


The parties emphasized the importance of the 7th World Forum on
Intercultural Dialogue, which is taking place in Baku from October
27 through 29. It was noted that the forum serves as a vital
international platform for discussing contemporary global
challenges, promoting mutual understanding among cultures and
religions, and strengthening peace and security.


In addition, they highlighted the role of the Baku Security
Forum, held in Azerbaijan, in developing cooperation in the fight
against international terrorism, building trust in the field of
security, and expanding the exchange of experience and
information.


The meeting also included an exchange of views on plans to
expand the presence of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism in
Azerbaijan. It was emphasized that this could strengthen the
institutional foundations of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the
UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, as well as support international
initiatives in the field of counterterrorism.


Bayramov noted Azerbaijan’s contribution to the fight against
international terrorism and the importance it attaches to
developing cooperation with the UN and its specialized agencies in
this area.


Zouev, in turn, provided information on UNOCT’s activities in
the fight against terrorism, the coordination of global
counterterrorism efforts, and the main areas of cooperation with
member states.


Other issues of mutual interest were also discussed at the
meeting.