Azerbaijan key guarantor of regional stability, Slovak envoy says

Azerbaijan is a key guarantor of regional stability and development, says Elchin Gasimov, Slovakia’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan.

Speaking at an event marking the Constitution and Armed Forces Day of the Slovak Republic, he said both countries currently maintain a high level of political dialogue and are developing a strategic partnership, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

He made clear that this was demonstrated by recent high-level visits, including Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s first official visit to Slovakia and Slovak President Peter Pellegrini’s reciprocal official visit to Azerbaijan.

“These mutual high-level visits confirm the strength of our relations and our mutual interest in further developing them,” Gasimov added.

He noted that the partnership between the two countries was based on pragmatism and mutual respect.

“Slovakia and Azerbaijan are linked by a genuine strategic partnership. Our relations are not merely formal diplomatic ties. We are friendly states that support each other, turn excellent relations into concrete projects and practical cooperation,” the ambassador stressed.

Gasimov further stated that Slovakia viewed Azerbaijan as one of the key countries in the region, an important guarantor of stability and development, as well as a significant logistics and transport hub connecting East and West.

He also said Slovakia and Azerbaijan were working to expand cooperation in the energy sector.

“Azerbaijan has demonstrated its readiness and solidarity in the past by being prepared to supply natural gas to Slovakia during the energy crisis. Together, we are working to find stable and long-term solutions for the future,” the diplomat remarked.

Gasimov also spoke about the participation of Slovak companies in the reconstruction of Azerbaijan’s territories liberated from occupation.

“We are proud of the active participation of Slovak companies in rebuilding the post-conflict regions, particularly in the Smart Village project in Bashgarvand and the construction of a school that will be named after General Milan Rastislav Štefánik,” the ambassador outlined.

In his view, these projects were helping establish a long-term Slovak presence and legacy on Azerbaijani soil.

The diplomat also noted that direct air links between the two countries would be launched soon.

“This will bring our countries even closer and contribute to the development of people-to-people, business and student contacts,” he explained.

He claimed that Slovakia and Azerbaijan maintain effective cooperation in the defence sector.

“Together with our Swedish colleagues, the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Baku will continue to serve as NATO’s contact embassy in Azerbaijan. For us, this mission is an honour and a testament to trust,” the ambassador said.

According to Gasimov, the Slovak-Azerbaijani partnership was already producing tangible results.

“Slovak-Azerbaijani relations have a solid foundation and are already producing concrete results in areas such as energy, the economy, transport, the defence industry, regional reconstruction and people-to-people contacts,” the diplomat noted.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov