Slovakia, Azerbaijan in talks on joint defence manufacturing, says Pellegrini

Slovakia is seeking to deepen its strategic partnership with Azerbaijan through long-term gas imports and joint defence manufacturing, President Peter Pellegrini said, highlighting Baku's growing role in European energy security and industrial cooperation.

Speaking in an interview with AnewZ television, Pellegrini said Azerbaijan had become a key partner for Slovakia following the outbreak of the Russia–Ukraine war and the resulting energy crisis.

According to the Slovak president, Baku quickly offered Bratislava access to gas supplies through several routes, including the TurkStream pipeline and transit corridors via Bulgaria, Italy and Austria.

"We received also a gas from Azerbaijan but now we are looking for some long-term solution because there is an offer from Azerbaijan to deliver gas to the Middle Europe," Pellegrini said.

He stressed that Slovakia considers Azerbaijan one of its most important partners as the European Union moves to phase out imports of Russian gas after 2027.

"After 2027, the European Union would like to stop buying Russian gas. So we have to diversify, and Azerbaijan we see as one of the key players in this issue," he stressed.

Pellegrini also emphasised that relations between Bratislava and Baku are based on partnership rather than a traditional buyer-seller relationship.

"We are not trying to see Azarbaijan as a customer, like many others do. We prefer in Slovakia to deal with each other as a partners," he said.

Beyond energy cooperation, the Slovak president revealed that the two countries are exploring a joint defence industry project. He said discussions had taken place with Slovakia's defence minister on establishing the co-production of new military equipment involving companies from both countries.

The equipment could subsequently be marketed to third-country customers through Azerbaijan, creating commercial opportunities for both partners, Pellegrini added.

Slovakia has previously indicated that it intends to import around 1.2 billion cubic metres of Azerbaijani natural gas annually after 2027 as part of its strategy to reduce dependence on Russian energy.

By Aghakazim Guliyev