Malta's "broadening" cooperation with Azerbaijan was discussed during a visit to Baku by Foreign Minister George Vella.

Dr Vella met with Azeri president Ilham Aliyev, among others.

The two countries will be looking at expanding existing potential in the commercial, investment, educational and people-to-people contacts, a statement by the Department of Information said. 

Dr Vella underlined the importance that Malta attaches to closer relations between the EU and its partners in the Eastern neighbourhood and welcomed the clear signals given by Azerbaijan on its commitment to engage more deeply with the EU.

The two countries signed three agreements concerning the avoidance of double taxation, cooperation in youth and sport, and political consultations between the respective foreign ministries.

Azeri Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyrov elaborated on his country's commitment to take relations with Malta to a new and wider dimension, beyond energy cooperation. 

Azerbaijan's recent tensions with Armenia in Nagorno-Karabach also featured prominently in all of Dr Vella’s meetings.