KUWAIT: Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs is set to visit Kuwait on April 29 to lead the third joint committee meeting, aimed at enhancing cooperation across various sectors, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Kuwait Emil Karimov revealed. Speaking during an iftar gathering with local media, Karimov emphasized the deepening bilateral relations between the two nations and highlighted the significance of the upcoming visit in bolstering diplomatic and economic ties.

The ambassador noted that the two countries recently held their first round of political consultations, marking a new milestone in their growing relationship. He also reflected on the visit of Kuwait’s Crown Prince to Azerbaijan last year, where he attended the Climate Conference and met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, further reinforcing the strong friendship between the two nations.

On the economic front, Karimov expressed Azerbaijan’s keen interest in expanding cooperation in key sectors, including agriculture, food industries, and tourism. “More than 31,000 Kuwaiti tourists visited Azerbaijan last year, and we expect this number to grow further this summer,” he said, underscoring the country’s readiness to welcome visitors with its well-developed infrastructure and direct flight connections between Kuwait and Azerbaijan.

Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Kuwait, Emil Karimov

The ambassador also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen cultural ties through upcoming events and exchanges, reflecting the deepening bond between both countries. He reiterated his commitment to fostering cooperation and celebrating the shared values and traditions that unite Azerbaijan and Kuwait.

Meanwhile, Karimov spoke about Azerbaijan’s unique celebration this year, as the holy month of Ramadan coincided with Nowruz, the traditional spring festival deeply embedded in Azerbaijani heritage. “Nowruz symbolizes the arrival of spring and the renewal of nature. It was celebrated alongside Eid Al-Fitr, bringing together families and communities in festive gatherings,” he said.

The ambassador elaborated on the rich traditions of Nowruz, which is observed on March 20 or 21, coinciding with the spring equinox when day and night are of equal length. “In Azerbaijan, preparations for Nowruz begin four weeks in advance, with each Monday dedicated to one of the four elements: wind, earth, water, and fire,” he explained.

Traditional customs include lighting bonfires in the streets, jumping over flames to symbolically cleanse oneself of past troubles, and preparing special sweets like baklava. “One of the festival’s highlights is planting Samani, sprouted wheat grass, which represents nature’s renewal. Families decorate their Nowruz tables with symbolic items such as colored eggs, candles, and trays of traditional sweets, much to the delight of children,” he added.

Drawing a cultural parallel between Azerbaijan and Kuwait, Karimov noted a tradition in Azerbaijan similar to Kuwait’s Girgian. “In Azerbaijan, children leave hats at neighbors’ doors to receive sweets, a tradition that closely resembles Kuwait’s Girgian celebrations during Ramadan,” he said, highlighting the shared cultural heritage between the two countries. In conclusion, the Azerbaijani ambassador expressed his gratitude to local media for their role in strengthening cultural and diplomatic relations, particularly during significant occasions like Ramadan and Nowruz.