BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 10. The importance of
maritime security has been emphasized at a meeting of Azerbaijani
Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and his Japanese counterpart
Toshimitsu Motegi on June 10.


This is reflected in the statement of Azerbaijan's Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.


The meeting was held during Bayramov's visit to Japan on June
9-10.


During the meeting, both ministers welcomed the development of
bilateral relations over the past 30 years since the establishment
of diplomatic relations in 1992, and reaffirmed the importance of
active and fruitful political dialogue, including high-level visits
and political consultations.


Both ministers emphasized that this visit provides an
opportunity to further strengthen diplomatic relations between the
two countries and confirmed their intention to deepen cooperation
in a number of areas, including diplomacy and the economy.


The Azerbaijani side expressed its appreciation for Japan's
Official Development Assistance (ODA) and expressed hope for
continued cooperation with Japan.


The Japanese side recognized the importance of Azerbaijan's
stability and prosperity for ensuring peace in the Caucasus region
as a whole, and both sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation
in the economic sphere.


Moreover, the Japanese side welcomed the Azerbaijani side's
decision to unilaterally introduce a visa-free regime for Japanese
citizens for a period of one year in order to promote tourism and
further expand economic, humanitarian, and cultural ties. The
parties confirmed that they will continue to facilitate mutual
travel of their citizens.


The parties noted with satisfaction the 12th meeting of the
Azerbaijan-Japan Joint Economic Committee held in September 2025
with the aim of further expanding trade and investment relations
between the two countries and confirmed the need to hold the next
meeting in the near future.


The parties welcomed the progress achieved so far in the
negotiations on the Japan-Azerbaijan Investment Agreement, which
began in February 2019, and agreed to accelerate the negotiations
with a view to its early conclusion.


The parties expressed their agreement to use the Joint Lending
Facility (JLF) to promote cooperation in the field of
decarbonization and to hold the first meeting of the JLF Joint
Committee in the near future.


The parties agreed on the importance of cooperation on the
"Trans-Caspian International Transport Route" aimed at
strengthening regional and wider connectivity.


They highly appreciated the fact that there is a long-term and
close cooperative relationship between the two countries on the
development of the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli oil and gas fields, in
which Japanese companies participate, and on the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. This demonstrates the significant
benefits and positive results of effective mutual cooperation
between the parties.


The parties reaffirmed the important role of Azerbaijan in terms
of stable energy supply in the current international environment,
expressed their intention to further develop cooperation in the
field of energy security, including in ensuring stable supplies of
crude oil of Azerbaijani origin, and stressed the importance of
maritime security.


Besides, the parties exchanged views on recent developments
affecting economic stability, economic security, and the broader
international environment, and reaffirmed the importance of
continuing dialogue and cooperation on issues of mutual
interest.


They confirmed the continuation of bilateral cooperation on
elections in international platforms, including international
organizations, and also expressed their determination to work
together towards the early implementation of the UN Security
Council reform, which includes the expansion of permanent and
non-permanent membership categories.


In addition, the parties emphasized the importance of respecting
the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including the
independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of all
states.