Azerbaijan-Italy ties: developing cooperation - COMMENTARY

Azerbaijan-Italy relations are more than a century old. During the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, there were ties between the two countries in several fields. After the restoration of independence, Italy recognized the independence of Azerbaijan on January 1, 1992, and diplomatic relations were established on May 8, 1992. Italy is one of the countries included in the OSCE Minsk Group, which is no longer active. This country's officials defended Azerbaijan's territorial integrity in their speeches and meetings.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is on a visit to Italy. It is the 7th visit of the head of state to Italy. The visit is taking place at the official invitation of Italian President Sergio Mattarella and on the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. Within the framework of the visit, the President of Azerbaijan is scheduled to have expanded meetings with his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.

Among the previous visits, the most important in terms of content and form was the state visit on February 19-21, 2020. Twenty-eight documents were signed between the two countries during that visit. These documents cover political, defense, economic trade, energy, high technologies, transport, infrastructure, cultural, scientific, tourism, sports, food safety, and cooperation areas at the level of capital cities.

Among the signed documents, the "Joint Declaration on Strengthening the Multidimensional Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Italy" is of exceptional importance. The fact that the document was signed directly by President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte at the time can be considered an indicator of the political weight of this document.

By the way, some time ago, there was an internal political crisis in Italy. Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who could not reach a consensus between the parties on legislative issues, announced his resignation, and the government ended its mandate prematurely. Until the span parliamentary elections, which are scheduled for September 25, the government continues to operate in a limited framework, and Draghi is acting as the head of the Italian government. According to tradition, during the period of the provisional government, no foreign visits take place in Italy, no meetings are held with official foreign delegations, and no decisions are made on domestic and foreign policy issues.

Therefore, the business visit of President Ilham Aliyev despite the government's limited activities indicates the great importance that the Italian side attaches to strategic relations with the head of state of Azerbaijan and the country. It also demonstrates that a strategic partnership with Azerbaijan is Italy's priority national interest.

During his business trip to Italy, President Ilham Aliyev is expected to participate as the main guest in the international forum held annually in Cernobbio, Italy, by the think tank "The European House - Ambrosetti". President Ilham Aliyev is expected to give a speech on "Azerbaijan's role in ensuring energy security" at the main plenary session of the 48th forum.

The purpose of the visit is to discuss current issues in several areas in the process of implementing the Joint Declaration on Strengthening the Multidimensional Strategic Partnership signed between the two countries during the state visit of the President to Italy in February 2020, further expand cooperation in these areas, and determine the next result-oriented steps.

Relations between the countries have always been distinguished by their high level, diversity, and exemplary dynamics. Italy is the number one political, economic, and trade partner of Azerbaijan among the EU member states. In addition to being a strategic partner of Azerbaijan on the bilateral level, Italy is also an important country with which Azerbaijan closely cooperates on the multilateral level. In particular, Italy is a country that actively supports the strengthening of Azerbaijan's cooperation with the European Union and NATO.

These documents have boosted the relations between the countries. In addition to accepting each other as strategic partners, the parties expressed the desire to further strengthen this strategic partnership in all directions. Another important aspect of the Joint Declaration is that it was the first document that Azerbaijan signed in such a name and spirit with other countries, including a country that is a member of the G7.

The Joint Declaration also established the Strategic Dialogue between the two countries, chaired by the foreign ministers. On April 2, 2022, during the visit of the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi di Maio, to Baku, the first meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between Azerbaijan and Italy was held, and a protocol was signed as a result of the meeting. This meeting laid the foundation of a new institutional mechanism for strengthening multidimensional strategic relations between the two countries.

The fact that the first meeting of the Strategic Dialogue coincided with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations is considered a very significant event. In the strategic partnership relations between Azerbaijan and Italy, economic and trade cooperation is of special importance. Italy is the first trade and export partner of Azerbaijan. In 2021, the volume of trade turnover between the two countries repeated the indicators of the pre-pandemic period ($9 billion). In the 7 months of 2022, it was $11 billion.

Azerbaijan is Italy's largest trade partner among the countries of the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan accounts for more than 90% of Italy's trade in this region. Cooperation in the field of energy is at a high level. Azerbaijan ranks first in Italy's oil supply and third in gas supply. The Southern Gas Corridor and the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which is part of it, are important factors strengthening bilateral energy cooperation and Italy's energy security. TAP currently meets about 10% of Italy's gas demand. As a result of the implementation of the agreement reached with the European Union on increasing the volume of gas transported by Azerbaijan to Europe, it is expected that meeting Italy's demand for gas through TAP will double.

Currently, more than 100 Italian companies are operating in the industry, construction, trade, agriculture, communication, service, and other fields in Azerbaijan. Several companies are involved in the restoration and construction of the liberated territories, and discussions are underway with other companies showing interest. Relations between Azerbaijan and Italy in education began to expand on June 1, 2002, with the signing of the agreement on cooperation in Culture, Science, and Technology between the governments in Baku. During the state visit of President Mattarella to Azerbaijan on July 18-19, 2018, the Joint Declaration on Higher Education was signed between the education ministries of the two countries. The Joint Declaration on Strengthening Multidimensional Strategic Partnership, signed in February 2020, also contains specific provisions on cooperation in education and science.

The most important achievement between the two countries in the field of education is the agreement on the establishment of the Italy-Azerbaijan University in Baku reached during the state visit of President Ilham Aliyev to Italy in February 2020. In 2012, the monument to the genius Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi was opened in Rome's famous Villa Borghese park. As an indicator of the high level of cultural relations between our countries, 2020 was declared the Year of Azerbaijani Culture in Italy.

After Paris, Berlin, and Vienna, the Cultural Center of Azerbaijan is planned to be opened in the central part of Rome, one of the oldest cities in the world. During the state visit in February 2020, President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva got acquainted with the building intended for the Azerbaijan Cultural Center in Rome. The recent progress of ties in various areas indicates that Azerbaijan-Italy relations have developed further in the last 20 years.