Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

The relations between Azerbaijan and Italy have reached a new high, according to Italy's new ambassador to Azerbaijan, Giampaolo Cutillo.

"Our countries share a deep love for culture and are proud of their ancient cultural roots. I believe that this explains the excellence of our bilateral relations in all fields," the ambassador said in a recent interview with Trend news agency.

"Allow me first of all to say that I have accepted with great enthusiasm my appointment as Ambassador of Italy to Azerbaijan. It is a great honor for me to serve in a country where Italy enjoys such a great popularity and overall sympathy," he said.

According to Cutillo, bilateral relations have definitely reached a new high thanks to a recent visit by Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta to Baku.

Regarding efforts aimed at further intensification of relations between the business circles of the two countries, the ambassador cited definite commitment to boosting the trade and economic cooperation, in particular, the interaction between the business communities.

"Currently energy is the milestone of our partnership...President Aliyev and Prime Minister Letta issued in August a joint declaration on energy cooperation which takes stock of the high level of our economic relations and announces further steps aimed at strengthening our partnership, in particular, as regards the electricity and gas sector, renewable energy, oil-related activities and the petrochemical industry," the diplomat said.

According to Cutillo, Italy has a worldwide reputation for its know-how and technologies, as well as for the taste and quality of life.

"And also judging by the display of Italian brands and design in Baku, I am sure there is a huge potential for an even closer cooperation," Cutillo said. "On the occasion of my recent meetings with both President Aliyev and Foreign Minister Mammadyarov, I have received a strong encouragement to further explore with all concerned ministers and counterparts in Azerbaijan all possible areas of cooperation."

Touching on the economic relations between the two countries, the Italian ambassador said that in this context, work is underway to arrange a visit by a business mission of the Italian Confederation of Industries (Confindustria) and of the Italian National Association of Construction Companies (ANCE) to Baku in November.

At the same time, there is a commitment by both parties to convene in Baku the next meeting of the joint economic commission by the end of this year, he said.

Overall, Italy would like to encourage a more mature and inclusive partnership, through people-to-people contacts, an increased exposure of Italian language and culture in Azerbaijan, as well as exchanges between civil societies and universities. The goal is to facilitate tourism and closer ties in culture, science, art and technology.

The diplomat went on to say that Italy is a free economy and a competitive market.

"Of course, Azerbaijani investments in my country would be more than welcome. The attraction of foreign investments is a key priority of the Italian government, which is committed to providing an always more friendly and attractive playing fields for foreign investors," the ambassador said.

Cutillo also noted the importance of conveying the realities about Azerbaijan to the Italian public.

"Before coming to Baku, I attended the Venetian Biennale and was impressed by the Azerbaijani pavilion. I am sure that Azerbaijan will make a significant contribution to Milan EXPO 2015, which is the main priority for Italy in the coming years," he said.

According to Cutillo, Italy supports Azerbaijan's efforts aimed at rapprochement with the European institutions within the European Union's Eastern Partnership program and the chairmanship of Italy in the EU in the second half of 2014 will provide opportunities to strengthen interaction between the EU and Azerbaijan.

"We consider the selection of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) by the Shah Deniz consortium the basis of our cooperation in the gas sector. It will be particularly important for strengthening the interaction between the two countries. At the same time, we are sure that this infrastructure will help to diversify the energy supply of Europe and Italy," Cutillo said.

According to him, taking into account the high priority of the project, the Italian parliament intends to ratify the agreement signed in February 2013 in Athens among Italy, Albania and Greece.

TAP will transport natural gas from Azerbaijan to southern Italy and western Europe through Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea.

The consortium of Azerbaijani Shah Deniz gas condensate field development announced its choice of the TAP project as a gas transportation route to European markets in late June.

Initial capacity of the TAP pipeline will be 10 billion cubic meters per year with the possibility of expanding it to 20 billion cubic meters.

TAP shareholders are BP (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Statoil (20 percent), Fluxys (16 percent), Total (10 percent), E.ON (9 percent) and Axpo (5 percent).

The construction of TAP is expected to start in 2015.

Italy recognized Azerbaijan's independence in January 1991. The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in May 1992.

Earlier Azerbaijan's State Customs Committee said that Italy remains the largest importer of Azerbaijani goods. Almost a quarter of Azerbaijan's export fell to Italy in January-July 2013 compared to 22 percent in the same period of 2012.