Czech-Azerbaijani relations have a positive trend - Ambassador

On the occasion of the Czech Republic Day, celebrated on 28 October, the ambassador to Azerbaijan Vitezslav Pivonka gave a press conference on the current state of bilateral relations. "We believe this relationship  are stable and develop  with consideration of the  interests of the parties," said  the ambassador, noting the potential for mutual investments and joint projects.

   The Ambassador noted that the Czech Republic with two billion dollars is the sixth largest foreign investor in Azerbaijan, in particular, in the construction of the strategic transport corridor.

"Azerbaijan is a strategic partner in the area of ​​supply of petroleum products and  provides 1/3 needs  of refining industry of the Czech Republic,"  he said.

Smooth interaction is carried out in the sphere of science, education, business and political contacts. An important impetus  give the visits and contacts at the highest level, he said, referring to a visit to the Czech Republic by President Ilham Aliyev in 2014 and last year's visit of President Milos Zeman in Azerbaijan.

In turn, the head of the consular service of the Embassy  Joseph  Bogach reported that 8.5 thousand visas for citizens of Azerbaijan were issued in 2015, and  over  six years were  issued  400 student visas.

According to the ambassador,  Prague  believes that  the  presence in the Azerbaijani capital of the Czech Republic is insufficient. He also noted that the Czech Government with increased attention follows the  plans of the Azerbaijani government on the privatization list and waits for the ad companies, which will be put up for sale in accordance with the new privatization program. "The Czech side is also ready to participate in the program of diversification of Azerbaijan's economy, and in particular in the field of agriculture, and is ready to share its experience,"  said the ambassador.

Asking the question from  Turan agency on mediation initiative of the  President Zeman between the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan in the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, the ambassador Pivonka said that the Czech Republic, having experience and possibilities of cooperation in the framework of the Vishegrad Group and Eastern Partnership could bring positive dynamics in the negotiation process and settlement conflict.

Asking the question form Turan  is not   it contrary to the initiative  of the President Zeman with his appeal to the Parliament of the Czech Republic on the need to recognize the "Armenian genocide" in 1915, the ambassador said: "The Czech parliamentary republic, where the current policy forms the parliament and the government, and we have no  information that the parliament is preparing any resolution on this issue. "

Deputy Ambassador Peter Wagner said that he was aware of the completion of the scientific work about the history of the development of Czech-Azerbaijani relations, with roots in the Middle Ages: "We expect that the book will be published next year and will be an outstanding event in the bilateral relations." -0-