Azerbaijan ready to expand strategic ties with EU, says presidential aide

Azerbaijan has substantial potential to deepen cooperation with the European Union and its member states, Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, said in an interview with EUREFLECT on the sidelines of the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum.

Hajiyev said Azerbaijan continues to position itself as a country committed to peace, coexistence, partnership, and international cooperation, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

"We welcome all our European friends. Azerbaijan and the European Union, as well as Azerbaijan and individual EU member states, have developed relations based on friendship and partnership. Moreover, with many EU countries, our bilateral ties have already reached the level of strategic partnership," Hajiyev said.

Highlighting Azerbaijan's contribution to Europe's energy security, Hajiyev described the country as a strategic supplier of energy resources to the European Union and one of the bloc's key economic partners.

"Around 70% of Azerbaijan's trade is with European Union countries. We believe there are broad opportunities to further strengthen cooperation between the European Union, its member states, and Azerbaijan," he said.

The presidential aide also addressed the ongoing reconstruction of Shusha, describing the city as the cultural cradle of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani people.

According to Hajiyev, Shusha was left almost completely destroyed during nearly three decades of occupation but is now undergoing a comprehensive revival.

"Similar processes are taking place throughout Karabakh and East Zangezur," he said.

By Vafa Guliyeva