On April 27, President Ilham Aliyev and the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Andrej Babis, delivered statements to the press in Gabala following their high-level meeting.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the head of state first addressed the media, highlighting the productive nature of the bilateral discussions.
Statement by President Ilham Aliyev
"I am very pleased that the Prime Minister is our guest today. We met three months ago in Davos, which was our first meeting and proved very productive. I invited the Prime Minister to pay an official visit to Azerbaijan, and I am glad this visit is taking place today. This demonstrates the dynamic development of relations between our two countries," President Ilham Aliyev said.
The President noted that the political dialogue is active, covering regional, bilateral, and global issues. He emphasized that while trade turnover has reached over $800 million, it is primarily dominated by oil exports. "We desire a more balanced trade turnover and an improved structure. Today, we discussed specific economic and investment-oriented projects during both one-on-one and expanded meetings," the President added.
Regarding energy, President Ilham Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan is a reliable partner for the European Union. "Azerbaijan's oil is exported to the Czech Republic and holds an important place in its energy balance. Today, Azerbaijani gas is exported to 16 countries, 10 of which are EU members. We view this not just as trade, but as long-term strategic cooperation," he noted. The President also highlighted successful cooperation in the defense industry, mentioning ongoing negotiations for joint production projects.
Statement by Prime Minister Andrej Babis
Prime Minister Andrej Babis expressed his gratitude for the warm reception, affirming that Azerbaijan is a strategic partner of the Czech Republic. "Azerbaijan is in the center of the world's attention. This is demonstrated by the visits of various world leaders, which shows the importance of your beautiful country," the Prime Minister stated.
Babis emphasized the critical role of Azerbaijani energy, noting that 42 percent of the Czech Republic's imported oil comes from Azerbaijan. He expressed a strong interest in signing long-term natural gas supply contracts through the CEZ Group. "Azerbaijan can be our de facto strategic partner in this field in addition to oil," he said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the participation of 50 Czech companies in the visiting delegation, expressing interest in projects involving the Baku Metro, the defense sector (including L-39NG aircraft and Colt products), and infrastructure developments such as the expansion of the Karlovy Vary airport. "We are ready to be fast and flexible in implementing these projects," Babis concluded.
Context and Significance
The meeting in Gabala underscores the deepening ties between Baku and Prague, particularly within the framework of the Strategic Partnership Declaration signed between the two nations. As Azerbaijan continues to play a pivotal role in Europe's energy diversification through the Southern Gas Corridor, the Czech Republic remains a key advocate for strengthening EU-Azerbaijan relations. This visit also highlights Azerbaijan's strategy of developing its regional hubs, such as Gabala, as venues for international diplomacy and economic forums.
