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MP: Azerbaijani-Czech relations are developing on mutual trust

27 April 2026 21:35 (UTC +04:00)

"Azerbaijani-Czech relations are developing on mutual trust," Sabina Salmanova, a deputy of the Milli Majlis, told APA.

The MP said that relations between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic have entered a dynamic development stage in recent years and are further strengthened on the basis of mutual trust and strategic partnership principles: "These relations are not limited only to the diplomatic framework, but also encompass a wide spectrum covering economic cooperation, energy security, investment climate, as well as cultural and humanitarian spheres."

According to her, this multifaceted model of cooperation established between the two countries not only serves as a bridge between Europe and the South Caucasus, but also holds significant importance in terms of regional stability and development:

“In this regard, the official visit of Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to Azerbaijan marks the beginning of a new stage in the development of bilateral relations. The one-on-one and expanded meetings held by the head of our state, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, with him in Gabala, as well as the leaders’ statements, define the future directions of cooperation and serve to further deepen ties between the parties. I should also note that the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership signed in 2015 played an important role in elevating relations between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic to a qualitatively new level. This document not only confirmed the current level of cooperation between the parties, but also created an important political and legal framework that defines concrete directions for future development.”

The MP noted that the energy sector is considered one of the main pillars of relations between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic and plays an important role in ensuring mutual economic interests:

“As a country with rich oil and natural gas reserves, Azerbaijan has long been regarded as one of the reliable partners contributing to Europe’s energy security. This cooperation is of great importance, especially in terms of the export of energy resources and the diversification of supply chains. The export of Azerbaijani oil to the Czech Republic holds a significant share in that country’s energy balance and supports the stable energy supply of its industrial sector. At the same time, Azerbaijan’s supply of natural gas to the European market has expanded significantly in recent years. Currently, Azerbaijani gas is exported to 16 countries, 10 of which are member states of the European Union. This fact further strengthens Azerbaijan’s growing role in the European energy system and its position as a reliable supplier. In addition, Azerbaijan’s export of gas to other European countries located close to the Czech Republic makes an important contribution to the region’s overall energy security.”

Sabina Salmanova stated that cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic is not limited to economic and energy security fields alone, but also covers a strategic area such as the defense industry:

“This clearly demonstrates how deep and multifaceted the relations between Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic are. In particular, the expansion of mutual interest and cooperation opportunities in the defense industry in recent years is noteworthy.”

In his press statement with Andrej Babiš in Gabala, President Ilham Aliyev specifically addressed this issue, noting that successful cooperation in this field has been ongoing for a long time. The head of state said that Azerbaijan purchases many military-purpose products from the Czech Republic, and at the current stage, negotiations are underway on specific projects related to joint production. President Ilham Aliyev’s remarks indicate that cooperation between the two countries in the defense sector has already entered a new stage.

It is well known that in recent years Azerbaijan has placed special importance on strengthening its defense capabilities and expanding local production in this field. This approach plays a crucial role not only in ensuring national security but also in the development of the industrial and technology sectors. In this regard, cooperation with the Czech Republic, which has extensive experience in the defense industry, creates additional opportunities for Azerbaijan. The Czech Republic’s established industrial infrastructure, modern technological capabilities, and rich experience in this field create favorable conditions for the successful implementation of joint projects.

“I believe that the achievements to be gained in this direction will further increase the strategic importance of the partnership and give a significant impetus to the future development of relations between the two countries.”