"I believe we will deliver 20 billion cubic meters of gas to EU by late 2027" President Aliyev addresses press conference with Slovak PM

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has met with Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, who is on an official visit to the country.

Addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Fico, President Aliyev said: “Today marks the opening of a new chapter in Slovakia-Azerbaijan relations. I hope that our joint path will be very successful,” Caliber.Az reports, citing Azertag.

President Aliyev and Prime Minister Fico signed the “Joint Declaration on the Establishment of Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Slovak Republic”.

Azerbaijan's Minister of Defence Industry Vugar Mustafayev and Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of the Slovak Republic Robert Kaliňák signed the “Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Defense Industry of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Defense of the Slovak Republic in the field of Military-Technical Cooperation”.

Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan Zakir Hasanov and Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister of the Slovak Republic Robert Kaliňák signed the “Agreement between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Defense of the Slovak Republic on Defense Cooperation”.

“Among the documents signed today are agreements related to defence and defence industry sectors. Extensive discussions have been conducted on these two fronts,” President Aliyev said.

The Azerbaijani leader noted that concrete negotiations have now begun on establishing joint production facilities in the defence industry sector between Azerbaijan and Slovakia.

.“Slovakia and Azerbaijan are currently governed by policies based on sovereignty and dignity,” President Ilham Aliyev said. 

The head of state congratulated Robert Fico once again on his re-election as Prime Minister of Slovakia and noted that concrete steps were taken immediately after he resumed his role. "High-ranking officials made trips from Slovakia to Azerbaijan and from Azerbaijan to Slovakia, and today we are welcoming our esteemed guest," the Azerbaijani leader emphasized.

“Azerbaijan transports its natural gas to Europe through reliable routes,” President Aliyev said.

The head of state announced that Azerbaijan's gas supply to Europe will increase from 8 billion cubic meters in 2021 to up to 12 billion cubic meters this year. “This accounts for 50% of Azerbaijan's total gas exports. Our plans include delivering 20 billion cubic meters of gas solely to the European Union by the end of 2027, and I believe we will achieve this goal,” the President underlined.