Hikmat Hajiyev: No real alternative to natural gas today

Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan - Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev gave an extensive interview to the Slovak publication Hospodárske noviny, in which he spoke about Bakuchr("39")s economic policy, its strengthening role in ensuring Europechr("39")s energy security, and why chr("39")green fanaticismchr("39") should be set aside, Olaylar informs.

The presidential aide called the countries of Central and Eastern Europe chr("39")traditional friends and partnerschr("39") of Azerbaijan.

"We maintain historical ties and friendship with them, especially when we talk about countries like the Czech Republic or Slovakia. I am very grateful that in June I was able to participate in the Globsec security conference in Prague. Sometimes we diplomatically and jokingly say that it is convenient for us to communicate with our Slovak or Czech friends, as we understand each other very well. There are many similarities between us, for example, we face the same challenges and difficulties. In this sense, it can be said that you are an important partner for us, through which we can convey our message to the European Union and other international institutions. If we consider all these aspects, there is only one conclusion - Central European countries are our reliable partners," Hajiyev indicated.

He also noted that energy is an important component of Azerbaijanchr("39")s relations with other countries, particularly with Slovakia.

"After all, thanks to energy, we have very good contacts with Slovakia and other countries. However, I will repeat once again - our relations are based on historical context. And in the past, we had many mutual human and political connections. Along with this tradition, we are working on developing economic and trade relations. And it is energy that is a key component of Azerbaijanchr("39")s cooperation and partnership with the European Union states. Supplies of Azerbaijani gas to the European market are carried out through the Trans Adriatic Pipeline. Currently, Azerbaijan directly supplies gas to eight European countries. However, in total, 12 European states receive it. We have proven many times that we are a reliable partner. In addition, cooperation in the field of gas and energy occurs without any political connotations. This is exclusively a commercial issue, pure business. Of course, the energy security of our partners is important to us," Hikmat Hajiyev added.