"In the future, Lithuanian companies may also operate in Karabakh"
Caliber.Az talks to Vidmantas Janulevičius
INTERVIEWS 25 May 2023 - 11:06
Huseyn Safarov Caliber.Az |
Caliber.Az presents an interview with Vidmantas Janulevičius, president of the Confederation of Lithuanian Industrialists.
- It has been a year since a governmental delegation led by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausseda visited Baku. At that time you remarked in your interview with Caliber.Az that Lithuania did not use the full potential of cooperation with Azerbaijan. What changed in the relations between our countries during the year and what projects were implemented?
- The annual increase in the goods turnover between our two countries is 10 per cent, but the potential is far from being exhausted. I think, in economic terms, the trade turnover between our countries could grow many times over. In any case, we should strive for it. Over the last year products of a Lithuanian food company appeared in Azerbaijan. Ecological goods are also supplied under the Eco brand. The flow of fuel and lubricants from Azerbaijan to Lithuania has increased. These are all positive factors, nevertheless, we have opportunities to expand cooperation and the exchange of goods.
- The ceremony of signing of Azerbaijani-Lithuanian documents was held on May 22 in Vilnius with the participation of the President of Azerbaijan and the President of Lithuania. A business forum was held following the ceremony and you, as the president of the Confederation of Lithuanian Industrialists, also attended the event. Can you tell us what happened at this forum?
- More than 50 companies (B2B) from both sides participated in the business forum. This is a good indicator. Companies represented different sectors - food industry, construction materials, mechanical engineering, machine tools, energy, renewable energy, and use of fossil sources, as Lithuania consumes a lot of gas. Three agreements were signed at the level of the Confederation of Lithuanian Industrialists and many different discussions were held. We talked about the possibilities of joint projects based on joint R&D with the EU and the possibilities of technological exchange in the field of energy. We talked about Lithuania's capabilities to help Azerbaijan to sort out new rules and procedures for importing various goods to the EU. It is crucial for Lithuania that the EU does not have any questions for Azerbaijan on the violation of the sanctions regime against Russia.
The forum also touched upon the issue of mutual investments, the volume of which could significantly increase, but for the time being, they are not large volumes. In a word, both Azerbaijan and Lithuania see the potential for development.
- Will the opening of the Zangazur corridor in the future have a positive impact on cooperation between our countries in the field of logistics and transport?
- It certainly will. The more goods exchanged between the countries, the better for business. And this opportunity can be developed and increased. The more logistics corridors, the more opportunities for businesses to cooperate. Azerbaijan and Lithuania are hubs, which could work for neighboring countries as well. Just as Lithuania to Scandinavia and Baltic countries and Western Europe, so can Azerbaijan work with its neighbours across the Caspian Sea and other corridors. Logistics is very important today. Hopefully, there will be more opportunities to trade.
- Lithuania is an exporter of solar and wind energy technologies. Were there any proposals to the Azerbaijani side in this area at the last business forum?
- Azerbaijan has great offshore wind potential. This is a huge opportunity for Azerbaijan to export natural resources (gas and oil) and produce raw materials. And solar and wind can help to save the same gas and develop the non-oil sector. It is very logical and correct.
- Are Lithuanian companies present in the Karabakh economic region?
- As of today there are no Lithuanian companies in Karabakh as far as I know, but things are moving towards the resolution of the disagreements between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It can even be seen in the rhetoric of the EU, and there are hopes for this, which means that in the future our companies may also operate in the Karabakh economic region. Sooner or later these areas must be used to produce renewable energy, electricity from wind and sunlight, and then switch to hydrogen which can be used for various industries instead of gas, reducing carbon dioxide emissions. All these possibilities exist and will certainly be explored by Lithuania.
Caliber.Az
1
|
20 points. What did Armenia, the EU and the US agree on in Brussels? Sensational details on Caliber.Az
17 April 2024 - 11:01
|
2
|
Iran seeks international backing following missile strikes on Israel Raisi calls Russia & Qatari leaders amid tension
17 April 2024 - 16:56
|
3
|
Serbian President seeks Azerbaijani support amid Western pressures Insights from Political Scientist Stevan Gajić
17 April 2024 - 13:10
|
4
|
French ambassador recalled from Azerbaijan amidst bilateral strain Macron admits defeat
17 April 2024 - 15:19
|
5
|
Is Ukraine on the edge? Big vulnerabilities
17 April 2024 - 16:13
|
Azerbaijan, Pakistan prepare agreements to boost trade relations
20 April 2024 - 18:10
Grossi ignores 'elephant in the room' in Zaporizhzhia nuke plant situation - Russian envoy
20 April 2024 - 17:57
"Baku and Yerevan can achieve results without mediators"
Farhad Mammadov & Rasim Musabayov on Caliber.Az20 April 2024 - 17:50
Iran-EU trade reaches €380m in January 2024
20 April 2024 - 17:43
No damages as MAVs downed in Iran: FM
20 April 2024 - 17:27
Azerbaijani, Caucasus, Central Asian central bank governors explore prospects for partnership
20 April 2024 - 17:27
Turkish Foreign Ministry on Azerbaijan-Armenia deal
20 April 2024 - 17:09
Berlin climate dialogue to discuss Azerbaijan's COP29 preparations
20 April 2024 - 16:49
Triumph of sovereignty: Azerbaijan's quiet victory in the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers
Has & Verdiyan on Caliber.Az20 April 2024 - 16:30
Armenia's anti-corruption efforts under scrutiny
GRECO report highlights gaps20 April 2024 - 16:21
Azerbaijani foreign minister meets outgoing Iranian ambassador
Affirms strengthening bilateral ties20 April 2024 - 16:12
Türkiye ‘neutralizes’ 5 PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Syria
20 April 2024 - 15:55
IMF affirms readiness to support Azerbaijan in hosting COP29
20 April 2024 - 15:37
Ukrainian parliamentary delegation to visit Azerbaijan
20 April 2024 - 15:19
Armenia, Azerbaijan reach historic agreement at negotiating table
Prime Minister says20 April 2024 - 15:09
NATO trying to push Russia out of South Caucasus - analyst
20 April 2024 - 14:50
Azerbaijan, World Bank keen to cooperate on green transition
20 April 2024 - 14:31
Armenian PM announces withdrawal of Russian border guards from Tavush
20 April 2024 - 14:23
Athens conf highlights destruction by Armenia of cemeteries in Azerbaijani territories
20 April 2024 - 14:13
Media resources of Armenia, several other countries spread fakes
Statement by Azerbaijan Media Development Agency20 April 2024 - 14:05
Israeli strike on Iranian air defense radar site limited in scope
20 April 2024 - 13:54
Azerbaijani defense minister meets commanders of Land Forces
PHOTO/VIDEO20 April 2024 - 13:45
Azerbaijan, UN discuss transition to green energy
20 April 2024 - 13:39
Russian analyst: EU mission in Armenia turns into NATO mission
20 April 2024 - 13:23
US House advances $95 billion Ukraine-Israel package toward Saturday vote
20 April 2024 - 13:04
Unveiling Armenia’s motives behind lawsuits at The Hague
From politics to policy20 April 2024 - 12:35
Foes Azerbaijan and Armenia agree 'historic' return of villages
20 April 2024 - 12:28
Police seize cache of weapons & ammunition in Khankendi
Interior Ministry figures20 April 2024 - 12:06
Pro-Armenian senator urges US to cut military aid to Azerbaijan
French MP questions US diplomatic response20 April 2024 - 11:47
Azerbaijan engages with IEA to forge energy efficiency roadmap
20 April 2024 - 11:28
Ukraine targets Russia’s seven regions in drone attacks
20 April 2024 - 11:09
Explosion hits military base in Iraq's Babil
20 April 2024 - 10:49
Armenian PM shares insights on Brussels meeting with party members
20 April 2024 - 10:35
UN chief urges Baku, Yerevan to resolve outstanding issues
To normalize relations20 April 2024 - 10:21
US hails return of four villages of Gazakh district
20 April 2024 - 10:00
Western Azerbaijani Community condemns G7 for discrimination in refugee rights call
20 April 2024 - 09:49
Azerbaijan’s Gazakh District hails liberation of villages with joyful demo
PHOTO20 April 2024 - 09:37
EU endorses Azerbaijani-Armenian negotiations, backs delimitation process
20 April 2024 - 09:31
Azerbaijan showcases diplomatic valor by hosting COP29
20 April 2024 - 09:13
Ethiopia opens door for prized coffee exports to foreigners
20 April 2024 - 09:02