Pellegrini: Slovakia ready to help strengthen Azerbaijan-EU ties

Pellegrini: Slovakia ready to help strengthen Azerbaijan-EU ties

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

Pellegrini said Slovakia would advise its European Union colleagues not to criticize or lecture Azerbaijan, but instead to see Baku as a partner.

"Slovakia respects its partners. We can become a kind of advocate for Azerbaijan among European countries - in a positive sense. Where support is needed, or if there is an EU decision related to Azerbaijan in some way, you can count on us," the Slovak president said.

He said he was pleased with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyenchr("39")s visit to Baku in early July, adding that, in his view, it could send a signal to Brussels about the need to build relations with Azerbaijan.

"Now, I think the big people in Brussels understand that they should talk to Azerbaijan and be its partner. I think this is the future of our relations, and Slovakia will be very useful in this process," Pellegrini said.