8 new ambassadors

Handing their letters-of-credentials to President Aliyev Thursday were ambassadors of Italy Mrs. Margarita Costa, Korean People's Democratic Republic Mr. Kim Tkhe Sam, Hungary Mr. Ernio Keshken, Estonia Mr. Tiit Naber, Brazil Mr. Brian Niil, Spain Mr. Manuel Hermoso, Portugal Mr. Antonio Portugal and Lithuania Mrs. Khalina Kobeskaite.

Talking to all ambassadors individually, the President said Azerbaijan was interested in expanding political, economic and cultural relations with all the countries.

In a meeting with the Italian ambassador, the head of state highlighted the importance of Italy's experience of small and medium business development for Azerbaijan and encouraged the diplomat to step up effort in this direction.

The Hungarian ambassador passed on to the Azeri President an invitation of his President to pay an official visit to Hungary.