In an interview with the Slovak outlet Hospodárske noviny, Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, emphasized the country’s role as a strategic supplier of energy resources to Europe and outlined prospects for expanding cooperation with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
According to Hajiyev, nations in the region—particularly the Czech Republic and Slovakia—are traditional partners of Azerbaijan, bound by both historical and human ties. He noted that these countries play an important role in conveying Azerbaijan’s messages to the European Union and international institutions.
“Central European countries are our reliable partners,” Hajiyev stated, adding that Baku deeply values its dialogue and political understanding with Prague and Bratislava.
Referring to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s visit to Baku in May 2024, Hajiyev stressed that the relationship between the countries goes beyond the energy sector and rests on a strong historical and political foundation. The Slovak delegation, led by Fico, included over 40 business representatives, particularly from the energy and defense industries.
“Building on this tradition, we are working to strengthen economic and trade relations. Energy, of course, remains a key component of our partnership with the European Union,” Hajiyev emphasized.
He noted that Azerbaijani natural gas is supplied to the European market via the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). Currently, eight European countries receive direct deliveries of Azerbaijani gas, while a total of twelve EU member states benefit from it.
“We have repeatedly proven ourselves to be a reliable partner. Our cooperation in the gas and energy sector is purely commercial, without any political agenda. That said, we are fully committed to ensuring the energy security of our partners,” the presidential aide stated.
Special attention in the interview was given to Europe’s evolving energy landscape following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Hajiyev recalled that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Baku in July 2022, underscoring Azerbaijan’s growing role in Europe’s energy stability.
“Azerbaijan played a key role in overcoming the energy crisis and supplying Europe with gas. Prime Minister Fico’s visit to Baku was part of this new phase of energy diplomacy,” he said.
Looking ahead, Hajiyev reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s intention to build a strategic energy partnership based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the EU. However, he stressed that achieving this goal requires long-term contracts and the expansion of existing infrastructure.
“The ball is now in the European Union’s court. Azerbaijan has fulfilled its part. We are simply waiting for a response,” Hajiyev concluded.
Beyond energy, Hajiyev also addressed Azerbaijan’s broader foreign policy strategy, describing it as one of balanced pragmatism and inclusive engagement. “In politics, we often encounter bias and prejudice,” he said. “Azerbaijan, like Slovakia, is a mid-sized country surrounded by very different partners. Our approach is to seek out diverse models of cooperation in the best interest of our nation.”
He emphasized that Azerbaijan maintains constructive relations with a wide range of partners, including Russia, Iran, Israel, China, and the United States. “For us, it’s not about exclusion but about mutual inclusiveness—being part of the existing space of cooperation. One set of bilateral relations should not exclude others,” Hajiyev noted.
Commenting on the war in Ukraine, he reiterated Azerbaijan’s consistent stance. “Russia is our neighbor, and maintaining good relations with all our neighbors is our number one priority. At the same time, we also have strong ties with Ukraine, built over decades of human and cultural exchange. Many Azerbaijanis live in both countries, and we are deeply affected by the ongoing tragedy.”
He stressed that Azerbaijan firmly upholds the principle of territorial integrity, rooted in its own historical experiences. “We unequivocally support the territorial integrity of all countries. However, we refrain from any involvement in the military confrontation between Russia and Ukraine.”
Hajiyev also underlined Azerbaijan’s commitment to neutrality in the conflict: “We maintain a safe distance from supplying any military components. Our assistance to Ukraine is strictly humanitarian—focused especially on children and essential infrastructure like power generators. Azerbaijan is not part of any military arrangements in this context, as we are among the non-aligned countries.”
