EU membership was among the topics discussed by the speaker of Azerbaijan's parliament, Ogtay Asadov, and the president of Slovenia, Danilo Turk, on Monday.
The meeting had a broad discussion on bilateral relations and noted that reciprocal visits by top officials of both countries gave an impetus to bilateral cooperation.
Asadov said that the signing of five agreements on cooperation between the two countries would lay the groundwork for further partnership and cooperation. The agreements cover the creation of a strategic partnership, economic cooperation, mine clearance and visa issues. He described Azerbaijan's role in the South Caucasus as similar to Slovenia's in the Balkans. Azerbaijan could benefit from Slovenia's experience of how to become an EU member, Asadov said, adding that the EU's Eastern Partnership programme is being successfully implemented in Azerbaijan.
The Slovenian president said he was pleased to have made his first official visit to Baku and said that Slovenia and Azerbaijan were similar in terms of their historical development.
Also on Monday, Danilo Turk and his wife visited the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, where they were welcomed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva.
Aliyev briefed his Slovenian counterpart on the aims of the foundation which was established in memory of his father, former President Heydar Aliyev. He said that as the founder of modern Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev had earned the name of national leader.