President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received a delegation led by Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria Margarita Popova Sept. 28.

Hailing the successful development of Azerbaijan-Bulgaria bilateral relations, the president underlined that cooperation between the two countries was based on friendship.

President Aliyev noted that Popova's visit to Azerbaijan created opportunities for discussing bilateral ties between the two countries, and hailed the importance of her participation in the 5th Baku International Humanitarian Forum.

Praising the successful development of cooperation in the humanitarian sphere, President Aliyev underlined the significance of the event which was recently organized with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation's support in the Bulgarian city of Veliko Tarnovo.

The president expressed his gratitude to the Bulgarian government, prime minister and other state and government officials for their high hospitality. The president described the event as the manifestation of close ties and eagerness to continue partnership between the two countries.

Popova thanked President Aliyev for inviting her to the 5th Baku International Humanitarian Forum which was organized by the government of Azerbaijan under the leadership of President Aliyev. She expressed hope that her visit will be successful.

Popova underlined the importance of Azerbaijan's holding such an event amid global tension.

Saying the international events as the World Intercultural Dialogue Forum and the International Humanitarian Forum organized by Azerbaijan were of crucial importance, Bulgaria's vice-president emphasized the increasing political significance of these events.