Khankendi and Baia Mare Become Sister Cities

Khankendi and Baia Mare Agree to Establish Sister-City Relations

An agreement has been reached to develop cooperation between the city of Khankendi, the Aghdara and Khojaly districts, and Romania’s Maramureș County and the city of Baia Mare in the fields of economy, investment, culture and humanitarian affairs, sports, and other areas.

According to Faktxeber.az, the information was provided by the Public Relations Department of the Restoration, Construction and Management Service in Khankendi, Aghdara and Khojaly. During an official visit to Romania, a delegation led by Elchin Yusubov, the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Khankendi, Aghdara and Khojaly, met with Gabriel-Valer Zetea, head of Maramureș County.

The meeting focused on further developing strategic partnership relations between Azerbaijan and Romania at the regional level, as well as establishing broad cooperation between the Karabakh and Maramureș regions across various sectors.

Elchin Yusubov stated that Azerbaijan, particularly Khankendi, Aghdara and Khojaly, is interested in developing mutually beneficial cooperation with European countries. He provided information about large-scale reconstruction, development and infrastructure projects being implemented in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, as well as opportunities created for foreign investors.

The Azerbaijani side invited Gabriel-Valer Zetea to pay an official visit to Karabakh. Accepting the invitation, Zetea noted that regional cooperation would make an important contribution to further strengthening relations between the two countries.

The sides also exchanged views on organizing regional days in Karabakh and Maramureș, holding a business forum with the participation of entrepreneurs from both regions, and jointly assessing economic and investment opportunities.

The Azerbaijani delegation also met with Ioan Doru Dăncuș, Mayor of Baia Mare.

The meeting discussed establishing and developing relations between Baia Mare and Khankendi, implementing joint projects, exchanging experience, and exploring investment and other mutually beneficial areas of cooperation.

Mayor Ioan Doru Dăncuș proposed identifying concrete areas of cooperation to develop relations with Azerbaijan and Karabakh, establishing partnerships with Azerbaijani companies, and exploring opportunities for mutual investment. He also expressed interest in cooperation in the cultural, humanitarian and sports fields.

Elchin Yusubov highlighted similarities between Khankendi and Baia Mare in terms of geographical location, nature and cultural heritage. He also provided information about Khankendi's historical background and emphasized its importance as one of the major political, economic and cultural centers of Karabakh.

During the meeting, the sides agreed to sign a sister-city agreement between Baia Mare and Khankendi.

The meetings were described as an important step toward bringing relations between Karabakh and Romania’s Maramureș region, as well as between Khankendi and Baia Mare, to a new level and expanding economic and investment cooperation.