Azerbaijan, Italy say relations reach strategic level (UPDATE)
By Aynur Jafarova
Energy-rich Caspian littoral state, Azerbaijan, and one of its main trade partners in Europe, Italy, have mulled the future prospects of the bilateral cooperation.
The discussions were held in the framework of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's official visit to Italy, which started on July 13.
As part of his visit President Aliyev held several fruitful meetings with top officials of the country.
President Aliyev and his Italian counterpart Giorgio Napolitano held a meeting attended by delegations of two sides.
The sides expressed satisfaction with the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy in political, economic, cultural and other fields. They also stressed the importance of relations between the two countries as part of the European Union (EU)-Azerbaijan cooperation.
They also underlined the significance of coordinating efforts during Azerbaijan's presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and Italy's presidency of the Council of the EU.
During the meeting, the parties also referred to the development of cooperation in energy field, adding that the two countries support each other within international organizations.
Also, the sides exchanged views on Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, various aspects of Azerbaijani-Italian bilateral ties and other issues of mutual concern.
After the meeting, a dinner reception was held in honor of President Aliyev on behalf of the Italian president.
Later, President Aliyev met with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
During the meeting, the parties expressed satisfaction with the development of Azerbaijan-Italy bilateral relations in political economic and other fields.
The sides noted that the relations between the two countries reached strategic level, and underscored good prospects for energy cooperation.
Following the meeting, Azerbaijan and Italy signed a number of documents.
In particular, President Aliyev and Prime Minister Renzi adopted a Joint Declaration on strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Italy.
Also, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Natig Aliyev and Italian Minister for Infrastructures, Transport and Telecommunications Maurizio Lupi signed an agreement on maritime transport, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Italy Vagif Sadigov and Italian Deputy Minister of Economic Development Carlo Calenda signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on economic cooperation between Azerbaijan's Economy and Industry Ministry and the Economic Development Ministry of Italy, Azerbaijani Culture and Tourism Minister Abulfas Garayev and State Secretary of the Italian Ministry of Heritage and Cultural Activities Francesca Barracciu signed a MoU on cultural cooperation, and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and State Secretary of the Italian Cabinet of Ministers Graziano Delrio signed a MoU on cooperation in the field of sport between the Youth and Sport Ministry of Azerbaijan and the Department of Regional Affairs, Sports and Autonomy - Sports Office of the Presidency of the Council of Ministries of Italy.
After the signing ceremony, a dinner reception was held in honor of President Aliyev on behalf of the Prime Minister.
As part of the visit, President Aliyev also met with President of the Italian Senate Pietro Grasso.
During the meeting, the parties expressed satisfaction with the development of Azerbaijani-Italian strategic relations in various fields. They said the activities of numerous Italian companies in Azerbaijan contributed to the development of bilateral relations.
Grasso said Italy considers Azerbaijan as the guarantor of stability in the Caucasus.
President Aliyev, in turn, informed him of the consequences of Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan and the current talks on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The parties emphasized the importance of inter-parliamentary ties, including the role of friendship groups to develop bilateral relations and noted the significance of strengthening of cooperation in this field.
During his visit, President Aliyev also visited a monument to great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi in Villa Borghese Park, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Altare dell Patria memorial complex, as well as the Mercati di Traiano Museum, met Rome's Mayor Ignasio Marino and gave interview to local journalists.
Italy and Azerbaijan enjoy strong friendly relations. Italy recognized Azerbaijan's independence in January 1991. The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in May 1992.
Being one of Azerbaijan's major partners in Europe, Italy is Azerbaijan's number one trade partner for last seven years. It is the largest importer of Azerbaijani goods. Almost a quarter of Azerbaijan's export went to Italy in January-July 2013, compared to 22 percent in the same period in 2012. Currently, 45 Italian companies are operating in Azerbaijan in insurance, banking, trade, and other areas.
Italy and Azerbaijan successfully cooperate in the energy field as well. The selection of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) by the Shah Deniz consortium is the basis of the bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.
TAP, which is designed to supply the Caspian gas to Europe, will transport natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz II field in Azerbaijan to Europe. The approximately 870 km long pipeline will connect with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) near the Turkish-Greek border at Kipoi, cross Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy.
TAP's landfall in Italy provides multiple opportunities for further transport of Caspian natural gas to some of the largest European markets such as Germany, France, the UK, Switzerland and Austria.