A guard of honor was arranged for President Ilham Aliyev in the square decorated with national flags of the two countries.

Azerbaijani President was welcomed by his Bulgarian counterpart Rosen Plevneliyev. The chief of the guard of honor reported to the President of Azerbaijan. National anthems of Azerbaijan and Bulgaria were played. The heads of state reviewed the guard of honor.

The Azerbaijani President saluted soldiers.

State and government officials of Bulgaria were introduced to President Ilham Aliyev and members of the Azerbaijani delegation were introduced to President Rosen Plevneliyev.

The guard of honor marched in front of the heads of state to the accompaniment of a military march.

President Alham Aliyev is on a visit to Sofia along with Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, Economic Development Minister Shahin Mustafayev, Industry and Energy Minister Natig Aliyev, and Ali Abbasov, who currently takes the Communications and Information Technologies portfolio.

On the Bulgarian side, various ministers are due to take part in a meeting including Nikolay Nenchev (defense), Vezhdi Rashidov (culture), Bozhidar Lukarski (economy), Temenuzhka Petkova (energy), Krasen Kralev (sports) and Irena Georgieva (Deputy Tourism Minister).

Azerbaijani president visited Bulgaria at the invitation of his counterpart Rosen Plevneliev. His visit follows the two statesmen`s meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan`s capital, in September of last year when they pledged increased bilateral cooperation in energy.

Back then Plevneliev attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the Southern Gas Corridor, a system of pipes part of which will pass near Bulgaria`s territory.

Bulgaria is now eyeing to avail of the prospective pipeline that will pump natural gas from Azerbaijan, and in September signed agreements on gas deliveries.

Unlike a series of visits by foreign leaders in January,Ilham Aliyev`s was confirmed two weeks in advance, novinite.com reported.

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