Shaikh Mohammed begins visit to Azerbaijan

At the start of an official visit to Azerbaijan on Wednesday, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai laid a wreath at the tomb of Azerbaijan founder, the late Heydar Aliyev, in Baku.

Afterwards, Shaikh Mohammed visited the Eternal Flame memorial at the Martyrs’ Lane and laid a wreath while the band played the national anthems of the UAE and Azerbaijan.

Shaikh Mohammed and members of his accompanying delegation were briefed by Baku Mayor Mir Hajibala Abutalibov about the landmark, built in the memory of the military and civilian victims of Black January.

Shaikh Mohammed expressed his interest in visiting the landmarks commemorating Azerbaijan’s greatest politicians, artists, intellectuals, economists and warriors, as they represent the country’s rich history.

He praised Azerbaijan’s past glories and the progress it achieved in modern times under the wise leadership of President Ilham Aliyev who leads a development drive to ensure prosperity for his people.

Earlier, Shaikh Mohammed arrived in Baku, leading a high level delegation, on an official two-day visit to Azerbaijan under an invitation by President Ilham Aliyev.

He is accompanied by Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chief Executive of Emirates Group; Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gargawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs; Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy; Dr Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State; Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director General of Dubai Ruler’s Court; Lt.-General Musabah Rashid Al Fattan, Director of Vice-President, Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler’s Office; Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, Director General of Dubai Protocol and Hospitality Department; and Salem Khalifa Al Ghafli, UAE Ambassador to Azerbaijan.