On Wednesday, during his visit to Baku, the Chairman of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, Richard Raši, signed a memorandum with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani National Assembly, Sahiba Gafarová, which creates space for closer inter-parliamentary cooperation. Raši also announced that the Slovak delegation managed to agree on stronger conditions for the countries’ cooperation in the defense industry. TASR was informed about this by the Office of the NR SR.
- Richard Raši signed a memorandum on closer Slovak-Azerbaijani cooperation in Baku.
- The memorandum creates a strategic partnership with the framework for the investment economy and industry.
- The agreement includes intensive committee cooperation and the exchange of experiences of parliamentary delegations.
According to the statement, the memorandum of understanding between the two legislatures institutionalizes a strategic partnership, creates a direct framework for cooperation in the field of economy, investment and industry, and defines clear rules and goals for mutual cooperation for the coming years.
Interparliamentary cooperation
Raši’s meeting with Gafarová was aimed at transforming political declarations into practical benefits for the citizens of Slovakia, the office said, adding that both agreed that parliaments must be the institutions that create permanent bridges between nations.
The signed memorandum envisages intensive cooperation at the level of parliamentary committees, regular exchange of delegations and exchange of experience between parliamentary administrations. According to Raši, it is also a practical tool of cooperation that brings stability and predictability to mutual relations.
Emphasis on the young generation
An innovative element of the agreement is the emphasis on the young generation. “For me personally, it is extremely important that in the document we commit to active work with the young generation, which I consider to be one of my key priorities in the position of chairman of the National Council of the Slovak Republic. Investment in relations between young people of both countries is an investment in our common future,” said the chairman of the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
At the same time, the speaker of the parliament emphasized that today’s parliaments must not only be legislative bodies, but must act as catalysts of economic diplomacy. According to the statement, it is thanks to political support at the parliamentary level that Slovak companies are successfully involved in ambitious projects in Azerbaijan.
“Smart village” in Karabakh
“The signing of this memorandum is not just a formal act, but a clear signal that Slovakia and Azerbaijan are strategic partners with concrete common goals. The proof is our participation in the restoration of the liberated territories of Karabakh, where Slovak companies are implementing a unique ‘smart village’ project in Baš Garvanda,” said Raši, who will travel to the region formerly controlled by Armenian separatists on Friday.
Raši also highlighted the benefits of the trip for Slovak-Azerbaijani relations from the point of view of strategic security. According to him, Slovakia has a strong ally in the Caspian region and remains a balanced and constructive partner for Azerbaijan within the European Union. According to him, the memorandum enables them to more effectively coordinate steps in the energy sector, which is key for Slovakia in terms of resource diversification.
Honoring the victims of the conflict
Wednesday’s program of the visit included honoring the memory of soldiers and victims of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War at the Victory Monument and laying wreaths in the Alley of Honor at the grave of former Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev, the office said.
