President Aliyev, new Danish ambassador discuss trade, green energy PHOTO

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev welcomed Ole Toft, the newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Azerbaijan, as he presented his credentials in a meeting at the presidential palace on October 14.

The two officials engaged in a comprehensive discussion on the potential for enhanced cooperation between their countries across various sectors, particularly trade and green energy, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

During the meeting, President Aliyev remarked that although previous efforts at cooperation had been limited, there are now promising opportunities for strengthening ties, especially in trade.

He noted that Azerbaijan's partnerships with several European Union countries are currently progressing actively, emphasizing the critical nature of regional policy discussions at this historical juncture.

Ambassador Toft expressed Denmark's growing recognition of Azerbaijan's strategic importance as a bridge between Europe and Central Asia. He stated that Danish politicians increasingly view Azerbaijan as a key player in the region and highlighted the potential for Danish companies to contribute to Azerbaijan's development as a hub for trade, energy, and infrastructure.

President Aliyev outlined Azerbaijan's ongoing efforts to attract investments in oil, gas, and green energy sectors. He highlighted the country's ambitious plans to become an international hub for green energy and transportation, despite its lack of direct access to open seas.

The president emphasized that Azerbaijan sits at the crossroads of the North-South and East-West transport corridors, boasting a modern transportation infrastructure that includes one of the largest international freight fleets, extensive railways, highways, seaports, and airlines.

The Azerbaijani leader further noted that the volume of cargo transportation through Azerbaijan is continuously increasing and that efforts are underway to digitalize transport infrastructure, particularly in customs operations. This digital transformation aims to enhance efficiency and facilitate smoother transportation processes.

Ambassador Toft acknowledged Azerbaijan's successful development strategy, praising the country's ambition to position itself as a transportation and logistics hub in the region. The discussion also explored Denmark's extensive experience in transportation and logistics, identifying significant potential for collaboration between the two nations in these areas.

Both officials congratulated each other on the constructive relations between the climate delegations of Denmark and Azerbaijan, particularly within the framework of COP29. They discussed joint initiatives aimed at addressing climate change and the importance of collaboration in renewable energy projects.

President Aliyev addressed the creation of a "green energy corridor" connecting the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea, specifically mentioning the planned cable line between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary. He also highlighted the importance of connecting Central Asian countries, such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, to Azerbaijan through renewable energy projects.

The discussions culminated in an emphasis on the increasing energy demands of the European Union and the significance of developing alternative energy sources based on "green energy" as part of the regional cooperation agenda.

By Khagan Isayev