Slovakia ready to help strengthen EU-Azerbaijan ties, Pellegrini says

Slovakia is ready to help strengthen relations between the European Union and Azerbaijan, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini said in an interview with AnewZ television.

Pellegrini said Slovakia would encourage its EU partners to engage with Azerbaijan as a partner rather than seek to lecture or criticise Baku.

“Slovakia has a style that we respect our partners. We don’t commend. So I think we will be [...] like an ‘advocate’ of Azerbaijan among the European countries in a positive way. And of course, where some support is needed, or some decision of the EU should be taken, and it is somehow connected to Azerbaijan, of course you can count on us,” he said.

The Slovak president also welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to Baku in early July, saying he believed it could signal to Brussels the importance of developing relations with Azerbaijan.

“Now I think also the big names from Brussels now understand that they should speak, accept, and be a partner with Azerbaijan. And I think this is the future of our relationship. And Slovakia will be very helpful in this process,” Pellegrini added.

By Sabina Mammadli