Azerbaijan, Italy enjoy multi-faceted cooperations, says ambassador

Azerbaijan and Italy have a strategic partnership based on mutual trust and good traditions, said Azerbaijani Ambassador to Italy Rashad Aslanov.

In an interview with the Italian news portal Formiche on October 15, Aslanov said high-level visits by members of the governments and parliaments of both countries greatly contribute to the development of bilateral relations in various fields.

“Italy is the main trading partner of Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan is the main trading partner of Italy in the South Caucasus region. At the same time, the TAP [Trans Adriatic Pipeline] project is not only one of the segments of the Southern Gas Corridor but also a success story of strong friendship and mutual trust between our countries,” noted Aslanov.

According to him, Azerbaijani-Italian cooperation is not limited only to the energy sector.

“Italian companies are involved in various sectors of the Azerbaijani economy, including projects for the reconstruction of Karabakh and East Zangezur [regions]. Mutual investments, as well as the logistics opportunities offered by Azerbaijan for 'Made in Italy' services and products towards Central Asia, demonstrate the existence of strong economic ties between the two countries, based on mutual interests,” the ambassador added.

The interview also focused on the relationship between Rome and Baku, including strong partnerships in the fields of energy, politics and culture, as well as the strategic prospects opening up for Italy in this context.

The publication indicates that the TAP pipeline, which helps strengthen the energy security of Europe, including Italy, against the backdrop of the energy crisis, provides 15 per cent of the country's natural gas needs.

Under a contract worth 160 million euros signed between Ansaldo Energia and Azerenerji OJSC, the Italian company will supply four gas turbines for a new power plant in Azerbaijan.

According to Aslanov, partnerships between Italy and Azerbaijan reached a new level after Italian companies declared their readiness to take part in the process of restoration of the Karabakh region after the end of the Second Karabakh War.