Azerbaijan maintains constructive, friendly relations with SCO members: Ilham Aliyev

BAKU, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Azerbaijan maintains constructive and friendly relations with all member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Azerbaijan's President llham Aliyev said Thursday, Azerbaijan State News Agency reported.

The head of state hailed the close cooperation between Azerbaijan and the SCO during the meeting with a delegation led by SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov in Baku.

Aliyev said that Azerbaijan-SCO relations are based on common history and interests, noting that Azerbaijan considers the SCO as an organization which plays important role in the international area, and hailed its contribution to the establishment of stability around the world.

Aliyev said Azerbaijan is interested in strengthening ties with the SCO and participating in a number of projects implemented by the organization.

The SCO's relations with member states contribute to the establishment of a common cooperation platform, adding that the development of cooperation with these countries is one of Azerbaijan's key foreign policy priorities, he said.

Alimov, in turn, congratulated Aliyev on his landslide victory in the presidential election and extended his gratitude for invitation to monitor the voting. Highlighting the importance of the SCO, Alimov said the organization maintains successful cooperation with its dialogue partner Azerbaijan.

Presidential election wrapped up in Azerbaijan on Wednesday evening with incumbent President Ilham Aliyev winning 86.03 percent of votes, according to the final results announced by the country's Central Election Commission.

The observation mission from the SCO, headed by Alimov, arrived in Azerbaijan last week to monitor elections in the country.