Slovak premier explores new frontiers in Baku-Bratislava relations
Strategic focus on trade, defense, & energy co-op

ANALYTICS  08 May 2024 - 17:10

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's visit to Azerbaijan marked an important milestone in bilateral relations for the constructive nature of discussions. The prime minister expressed admiration for President Ilham Aliyev's pragmatism in both domestic and foreign policy - a quality he sees as shared between them.

The interview Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico gave to Azertac news agency provides valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of Azerbaijani-Slovakia relations, as well as the prime minister's views on broader geopolitical issues affecting Europe and international diplomacy.

Trade & economic relations

Prime Minister Robert Fico acknowledges the relatively low volume of bilateral trade between Slovakia and Azerbaijan - around 70 million euros, primarily driven by Slovakia's export of machinery and automotive products. This indicates the potential for expanding trade and diversifying economic ties.

Fico's focus on three main areas of cooperation - reconstruction in Karabakh, defense industry collaboration, and energy partnerships - underscores Slovakia's strategic approach to enhancing bilateral relations beyond traditional trade avenues.

"We have no issues with Azerbaijan. Both in our one-on-one meeting and in the delegation-level meeting, it became clear that our foreign policy perspectives align closely. However, the volume of our mutual trade remains significantly low, standing at just over 70m euros. The trade balance is notably in Slovakia's favor, primarily due to our strong machine-building industry, with the Slovak automotive sector representing approximately 75-80 percent of this trade. Naturally, we considered this while preparing for the visit,” the prime minister said.

Reconstruction in Karabakh

Slovakia's interest in contributing to reconstruction efforts in Karabakh reflects a commitment to supporting post-conflict stabilization and development. This aligns with broader international efforts to restore peace and infrastructure in conflict-affected regions.

Slovakia is also keen on contributing to the reconstruction process in Karabakh with Slovak companies actively engaged in a smart village project.

"While I understand that these efforts are still in the early stages, I am pleased to share that President Ilham Aliyev has expressed a keen interest in further advancing this project. Additionally, Slovak companies stand ready to participate in the construction of a small airport, demonstrating our commitment to fostering bilateral cooperation and contributing to the development of infrastructure in Azerbaijan,” the prime minister added.

Defense industry collaboration

Prime Minister Fico's support for defense industry development in Azerbaijan, with technology from Slovakia and financing from Azerbaijan, indicates a strategic alignment in security interests. This underscores mutual benefits from defense cooperation amid shifting geopolitical landscapes.

We are also prepared to contribute to the military industry sector. I have actively supported the development of Slovakia's defense industry. President Ilham Aliyev and I have explored potential projects where technology would originate from Slovakia and financing would be provided by Azerbaijan. The weapons produced through these collaborations could either be exported or retained within Azerbaijan. Given the significant shifts in the dynamics of the conflict in Ukraine, there is now a critical shortage of weaponry. Engaging in this partnership would be mutually beneficial for both our nations, the Slovak prime minister said.

Energy partnership

The discussion around importing Azerbaijani natural gas into Slovakia highlights efforts to diversify Europe's energy sources and reduce dependency on traditional suppliers like Russia via Ukraine. This reflects both economic and strategic considerations for enhancing energy security. The prime minister also made public plans to import Azerbaijani gas into Slovakia as part of efforts to enhance energy security.

As Russia and Ukraine are currently at war, the export of gas to Europe is impossible due to well-known reasons and Slovakia is keenly interested in significantly increasing Azerbaijani gas imports, aiming for around 20bn cubic meters per year. This strategic move will contribute significantly to diversifying Europe's gas supply.

“We are very close to signing this agreement. I have seen Mr. President's very pragmatic and friendly approach. At the same time, he is an experienced politician, and we agree on many issues. I wanted to obtain information about your country, and your President was very friendly. We have talked about cooperation in Karabakh, energy, and defense cooperation. We are ready to cooperate with the president in these three areas,” Fico said.

As for energy initiatives like the Solidarity Ring project and potential cooperation in green energy, Fico discussed the significance of regional partnerships and highlighted the need for EU support for such projects.

Criticism of the European Union

Fico's critique of the European Union's policies, particularly regarding green energy and foreign policy, highlights internal divisions and skepticism within EU member states. His remarks suggest concerns about the EU's approach to certain issues and its impact on national sovereignty and economic priorities.

Fico lashed out at the European Union (EU), expressing skepticism and disagreement with its perceived self-importance and focus on non-essential issues like “restroom facilities and transgender rights” instead of addressing more significant social and economic challenges.

Moreover, Fico touched upon the broader dynamics within the European Union, expressing skepticism about certain EU policies and advocating for a more balanced and pragmatic approach. He slammed what he viewed as the EU's excessive ambition in areas like green energy and its tendency to lecture other nations.

“It is quite frustrating because respect for sovereign and independent opinions is getting lost. If you bow down, they will leave you alone, there will be no problem. But if you express your own opinion, you will have problems. The speaker also laments the diversion of funds towards war efforts in Ukraine instead of internal EU development.

The prime minister also emphasized respecting sovereign opinions and avoiding double standards in international relations which reflects Slovakia's stance on principled diplomacy and non-interference in internal affairs of other countries. This resonates with Azerbaijan's stance on sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Fico's comments on the role of larger countries in international politics suggest concerns about power dynamics and influence within global governance structures. His advocacy for a more balanced approach underscores the importance of multilateralism and dialogue in addressing complex geopolitical challenges.

The prime minister’s references to historical bonds and cultural relations between Slovakia and Azerbaijan indicate a broader interest in deepening people-to-people connections alongside economic cooperation. This underscores the role of cultural diplomacy in fostering long-term bilateral relations.

In response to questions regarding Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and relations with France, Fico emphasized the importance of objective dialogue and the need to avoid double standards in international politics. He underscored Slovakia's commitment to respecting sovereign opinions and highlighted the complexities within the EU regarding foreign policy consensus.

Conclusion

Prime Minister Robert Fico's interview reflects Slovakia's strategic interest in expanding and diversifying its relations with Azerbaijan beyond economic dimensions. His criticism of EU policies and emphasis on sovereign diplomacy highlight broader geopolitical challenges faced by European nations.

The prime minister reflected on the historical and cultural ties between Slovakia and Azerbaijan, expressing hope for further development in these areas alongside economic cooperation.

Overall, Prime Minister Fico's interview underscores Slovakia's commitment to deepening ties with Azerbaijan across multiple sectors while navigating broader geopolitical challenges within the European Union and the international arena.

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