Bratislava: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held an expanded meeting with President of Slovakia Peter Pellegrini in Bratislava, marking a significant milestone in the diplomatic relations between the two nations.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, this meeting was the first official visit by an Azerbaijani president to Slovakia, highlighting the deepening ties and potential for further collaboration.
During the meeting, President Pellegrini expressed his gratitude for the visit, emphasizing the importance of the strong relationship between Slovakia and Azerbaijan. He noted that this visit sends a robust signal of friendship and potential for development across various sectors. The Slovak President also appreciated the decision to open an embassy in Baku, considering it a valuable step in strengthening diplomatic ties. He highlighted the successful cooperation in defense, with the Slovak Minister of Defense having recently visited Azerbaijan, and the critical importance of energy cooperation amid the European Union’s decision to ban Russian gas imports.
President Aliyev reciprocated the warm sentiments, expressing his gratitude for the hospitality and recalling previous engagements with Slovak leaders. He noted that the relationship has reached the level of a strategic partnership, especially following the signing of the Declaration on Strategic Partnership last year. President Aliyev acknowledged the active participation of Slovak companies in the reconstruction of Garabagh and the successful energy collaboration, which began last year with gas supplies to Slovakia. He also extended an invitation to President Pellegrini for an official visit to Azerbaijan, which was graciously accepted.
The meeting underscored the successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and Slovakia in fields such as energy, transport, and the defense industry. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the involvement of Slovak companies in Azerbaijan’s ‘smart village’ concept in the Aghdam district and reiterated their commitment to furthering relations with the European Union. The discussions highlighted the mutual benefits and strategic importance of the partnership, setting a positive trajectory for future engagements.