MP: Italy has particular importance for Azerbaijan in country`s relations with Europe [PHOTO]

By Azernews

By Amina Nazarli

A forum marking the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two strategic partners- Azerbaijan and Italy was held in Baku on April 27.

Titled “Dialogue Forum Italy Azerbaijan”, the event brought together officials, ambassadors of foreign countries accredited in Baku, scientific figures and the businessmen.

Vice-Rector of ADA University Fariz Ismayilzade addressing the event named Italy an important partner for Azerbaijan.  

Ismayilzade highlighted the importance of the Forum, describing the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Italy as a remarkable occasion.

Italian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Giampaolo Cutillo, in his turn, recalled President Ilham Aliyev`s visit to Italy, saying that these visits further strengthened cooperation between the two countries in political, economic, cultural fields.

“Italy and Azerbaijan are strategic partners,” he added.

Head of Italy-Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Working Group Azer Karimli, addressing the event, said Italy has a particular importance for Azerbaijan in the country`s relationship with Europe.

“Italy was among the first countries that recognized Azerbaijan`s independence. Azerbaijani-Italian relations cover various fields. Italy is one of main investors of Southern Gas Corridor project,” he added.

Former Chair of the Senate`s Foreign Affairs Committee Fiorello Provera highlighted similarities between the two countries. “Inter-parliamentary Friendship Groups operating in the Parliaments of both countries serve to development of bilateral ties,” Provera added.

Cutillo in an exclusive interview with Trend said that relations between Italy and Azerbaijan are based on mutual understanding. “Within 25 years we have done a great job,” he said.

The envoy noted that Azerbaijan is a very good partner of Europe.

The ambassador said Italians are in a very particular geographical and historical situation, in the middle of the Mediterranean, and Azerbaijanis are in the middle of the Caucasus, adding this has been crucial for the countries’ past and reality.

There is strong and consistent support from the Italian government for the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) project, Cutillo said.

There were some legal problems with the SGC, but it has been cleared by the Italian court, the envoy reminded.

“As far as I know, work [on the SGC] remains on schedule and there is very complex work which needs to be done on the ground,” Cutillo said.

TAP is a part of the Southern Gas Corridor, which is one of the priority energy projects for the European Union. The project envisages transportation of gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz Stage 2 to the EU countries.

TAP will connect to the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) on the Turkish-Greek border, run through Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Italy’s south.

TAP will be 878 kilometers in length (Greece 550 kilometers, Albania 215 kilometers, Adriatic Sea 105 kilometers, and Italy 8 kilometers). Its highest point will be 1,800 meters in Albania’s mountains, with lowest point at 820 meters beneath the sea.