Azerbaijan will continue developing the relationships with the Persian Gulf countries, the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, as well as Bahrain, Qatar and Oman, Elman Arasly, told Trend. He was commenting on the visit of Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov to Bahrain from 3 to 5 January 2006.
According to the Ambassador, the Arab monarchies of the Gulf assume important geo-political significance, taking the leading place in the world market of energy resources and own big finances. Official, business and public circles of the countries take much interest in Azerbaijan, the diplomat said. Moreover, the countries first recognized the independence of Azerbaijan and take interest upgrading the relationships with it. The countries also support Azerbaijan in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.
Arasly particularly noted the role of official visits of the President and the foreign minister of Azerbaijan to Persian Gulf, in particular, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar, as well as visits of high ranking officials of he countries to Azerbaijan.
According to the diplomat, 2006 should become more active year in this respect, if to take into consideration the fact that the 33rd conference of the Foreign Ministers will be organized in Baku in June and the fifth conference of the tourism ministers of Islamic countries - in September.