On May 7, an important bilateral meeting took place between the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Robert Fico. The meeting included a ceremony during which several important documents were signed, marking the deepening of relations between the two countries.

Documents signed

During the ceremony, President Aliyev and Prime Minister Fico signed a "Joint Declaration on the Establishment of Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Slovak Republic", marking a significant step forward in bilateral relations.

In addition, two important agreements were signed in the field of defense. Vugar Mustafayev, Minister of Defense Industry of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Robert Kaliňák, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Slovak Republic, signed a "Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Defense Industry of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Defense of the Slovak Republic in the field of military-technical cooperation".
In addition, Zakir Hasanov, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, together with Deputy Prime Minister Kaliňák signed an "Agreement between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Defense of the Slovak Republic on Defense Cooperation". These agreements are indicative of the growing strategic and defense cooperation between Azerbaijan and Slovakia.

Press statements

On the same day, Aliyev and Fico made statements to the press following their expanded meeting.
President Aliyev began the briefing by expressing the importance of the day for Azerbaijan-Slovak relations. He referred to Prime Minister Fico's visit and the signing of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership, which he described as a profound political document that elevates bilateral relations to the highest level. President Aliyev said, "Today, a new page is opened in the relations between Slovakia and Azerbaijan, and I hope that our common path will be very successful".

He highlighted the comprehensive discussions that took place, both one-on-one and with delegations, and reaffirmed the strong political ties between the two nations. The discussions covered various sectors, in particular defense and energy. President Aliyev disclosed that discussions have begun on joint defense production initiatives and emphasized Azerbaijan's role as a growing energy supplier to Europe, seeking to increase its gas exports to the EU, potentially including Slovakia.

President Aliyev also noted the economic engagement between the two countries, citing a business forum that brought together Slovak and Azerbaijani companies to explore investment opportunities. He mentioned the significant role of a Slovak company in the reconstruction of the village of Garvand in Aghdam, stressing the symbolic importance of the project in demonstrating the sincere relations between the two countries.

Following President Aliyev, Prime Minister Fico thanked Azerbaijan for its hospitality and congratulated President Aliyev on his election victory, acknowledging his key role in Azerbaijan's governance. He praised Azerbaijan's independent foreign policy and expressed Slovakia's readiness to act as a bridge between Azerbaijan and the European Union in order to objectively present Azerbaijan's situation to EU bodies.

Prime Minister Fico discussed the potential for strengthening economic ties, noting the low level of trade turnover but significant opportunities for cooperation, especially in the automotive sector. He also appreciated the discussions on military cooperation, especially the prospects of joint production in Azerbaijan. In addition, he supported Azerbaijan's "Smart Village" initiative in Karabakh and expressed interest in energy and infrastructure projects that could include Azerbaijani gas imports via Ukraine.

The Slovak Prime Minister concluded his statement by reiterating his commitment to fostering a positive atmosphere at the European level and ensuring that Europe recognizes Azerbaijan's constructive approach in broader geopolitical engagements. He conveyed his best wishes to President Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan and expressed his anticipation of future bilateral successes based on mutual respect and sovereignty.