MR explores possibility of buying crude oil from Azerbaijan

Mr. Mammadyarov spoke favorably of the possibility and said his country would be open to such negotiations. President Rajapaksa also encouraged Azerbaijan to consider investing in Sri Lanka and urged members of its private sector to visit Sri Lanka and assess the possibilities for themselves.

“This is the best time to come and invest in Sri Lanka,” President Rajapaksa said. Mr. Mammadyarov spoke of Sri Lanka’s economic development since the end of the war and said his country had great respect for the President for ending the armed conflict. He described this as a great achievement. 

Mr. Mammadyarov said Azerbaijan, was a part of the former Soviet Union and was currently a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

He said his country was ready to support Sri Lanka internationally. “We stand on the same line on international issues,” Mr. Mammadyarov told the President.

The Azerbaijan non-resident Ambassador Ibrahim Hajiyev, External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris, Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and Acting External Affairs Secretary Kshenuka Senewiratne were also present at the discussions, the media report said.