EU energy security: Baku proposes a pragmatic approach Azerbaijani presidential aide speaks to Slovak media

Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, in an interview with the Slovak publication Hospodárske noviny (HN), spoke in detail about Azerbaijan’s role as a reliable energy partner for Europe and the prospects for expanding cooperation with Central and Eastern European countries.

As reported by Caliber.Az, touching on the role of this region in Baku’s foreign policy course, Hajiyev noted:

“We consider the countries of Central and Eastern Europe as our traditional friends and partners. We have historically established ties and friendly relations with them, especially when speaking about countries such as the Czech Republic and Slovakia. I am very grateful for the opportunity to attend the Globsec security conference in Prague in June. Sometimes, with diplomatic tact and a touch of humor, we note that it is convenient for us to conduct dialogue with our Slovak and Czech friends because we understand each other very well. We have much in common and face similar challenges and difficulties. In this sense, it can be said that you are important partners for us, through whom we can convey our messages to the European Union and other international institutions. Taking all these aspects into account, the conclusion is clear: the countries of Central Europe are our reliable partners.”

Journalists recalled the visit of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to Baku in May of last year, when he was accompanied by a delegation of more than 40 entrepreneurs, mainly from the energy and defense sectors. When asked about the significance of energy in Azerbaijan’s relations with European countries, Hajiyev replied:

“Yes, definitely. Ultimately, it is precisely thanks to energy that we have established very good contacts with Slovakia and other countries. But I would like to emphasise that our relations are based on a historical context. There have long been many human and political ties between us. On this traditional foundation, we are actively developing economic and trade relations. And energy here serves as a key element of cooperation and partnership between Azerbaijan and the countries of the European Union.”

The Presidential Assistant also elaborated on current cooperation in the energy sector:

“Azerbaijani gas is supplied to the European market through the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline. Today, Azerbaijan supplies gas to eight European countries, while a total of 12 European states make use of it. We have repeatedly proven that we are a reliable partner. Moreover, cooperation in the field of gas and energy is carried out without any political overtones — it is purely a commercial matter, strictly business. At the same time, of course, we are interested in the energy security of our partners.”

When asked whether cooperation in the energy sector had intensified following the start of the Russia–Ukraine war in February 2022, Hajiyev stated:

“Undoubtedly. In 2022, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen visited Azerbaijan. This happened almost immediately after the outbreak of the Russia–Ukraine war. At that time, the European Union faced an urgent need for a new energy impulse, and Azerbaijan played a key role in addressing it. We provided Europe with the necessary gas supplies. Prime Minister Fico’s visit to Baku was also part of these discussions.”

Speaking about Azerbaijan’s steps to further strengthen its energy partnership with the EU, the presidential assistant said:

“Given the current global situation, we want to build a new strategic energy cooperation based on the Memorandum of Understanding we signed with the EU. But in order to implement this, long-term contracts are required. For now, the ball is in the European Union’s court. We are simply waiting for their response.”