Slovakia says direct air service with Azerbaijan is expected to begin soon as the two countries work toward a stable, long-term arrangement for Azerbaijani natural gas supplies, according to Vestibaku.
The statements were made in Baku at a reception marking Slovakia’s Constitution Day and Armed Forces Day.
Gas and Direct Flights
Slovak Ambassador to Azerbaijan Elchin Gasimov said Baku had previously expressed readiness to supply natural gas to Slovakia during the energy crisis. The two sides are now working on stable, long-term solutions, he said.
Gasimov also said direct flights between the countries would be launched soon. No route, airline or start date was announced.
Direct service is expected to support business, education and tourism ties. Slovak companies are already involved in the reconstruction of Azerbaijan’s formerly occupied territories, including the smart-village project in Bash Garvand and construction of a school named for Gen. Milan Rastislav Štefánik.
Azerbaijan’s presidential office has identified Gasimov as Slovakia’s ambassador and described bilateral ties as a strategic partnership. Official Azerbaijani and Slovak statements have also confirmed Slovakia’s role in the Bash Garvand project.
NATO Dialogue and Defense Cooperation
Gasimov said Slovakia’s embassy would continue serving with Swedish colleagues as a NATO contact-point embassy in Azerbaijan. The role includes security dialogue, public diplomacy and cooperation between Baku and the North Atlantic alliance.
Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák, who was in Baku ahead of the ADEX defense exhibition, said Azerbaijan had demonstrated its ability to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He added that Bratislava did not intend to limit its allied relationships to periods of calm.
Slovakia’s participation in the Bash Garvand reconstruction project has been confirmed by the Slovak National Council, while Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry has documented expanding bilateral military cooperation.
The bilateral agenda now spans four areas: energy, transport, reconstruction and security.