Slovakia hosted an official reception and a series of high-level meetings in honor of President Ilham Aliyev, underscoring what both sides described as a rapidly expanding strategic partnership built on trust, historical parallels, and shared geopolitical interests.
The reception at Bratislava Castle was held on behalf of Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, who delivered a warmly worded address highlighting the “thousand-year wisdom, courage, and beauty” of Azerbaijan and praising the deepening political, economic, and energy ties between the two countries.
Pellegrini said Slovakia values Azerbaijan as a stable partner that has consistently supported dialogue and regional peace. He noted that Baku’s assistance during Europe’s energy crisis demonstrated the importance of the partnership.
“Your first official visit to Bratislava reflects the strength of our relations,” Pellegrini said. “We are opening a new chapter, especially in energy, the economy, and defense.”
He also pointed to growing opportunities in tourism, cultural exchange, and direct people-to-people links.
Aliyev: Slovakia Is a “True Friend” and a Partner With Shared History
President Ilham Aliyev, speaking in response, thanked Slovakia for its “friendship and respect” and drew parallels between the two nations’ historical experiences, noting that both countries regained full independence in the early 1990s and built modern statehood from the ground up.
“We were not independent before. Our sovereignty was limited,” Aliyev said. “Today, Slovakia’s achievements in human development, industry, and quality of life are an example for many.”
Aliyev praised Slovakia’s consistent support for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and emphasized the transformative results of last year’s Declaration of Strategic Partnership.
He highlighted joint work on energy interconnections, logistics projects, and institutional cooperation, stressing that the relationship now extends far beyond bilateral ties and contributes to regional connectivity.
Slovak Support in Karabakh Reconstruction
Aliyev expressed particular gratitude for Slovakia’s involvement in reconstruction efforts on Azerbaijan’s liberated territories.
A Slovak-supported “smart village” project – featuring 851 private homes, multi-story buildings, a school, kindergarten, and medical center – is already under construction and will stand as a symbol of bilateral friendship.
He also thanked Slovakia for providing specialized demining equipment, noting that more than 400 Azerbaijanis have been killed or injured by landmines since 2020.
Aliyev Invites Pellegrini to Pay an Official Visit to Baku
Aliyev formally invited the Slovak president to visit Azerbaijan in 2025, noting that previous visits – as prime minister and parliamentary speaker – carried weight, but a head-of-state visit would mark a “special milestone.”
Aliyev Meets Prime Minister Robert Fico
On December 9, President Aliyev held a one-on-one meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Both sides voiced satisfaction with the trajectory of strategic ties and underlined that high-level visits in both directions have accelerated cooperation.
Fico congratulated Aliyev on diplomatic progress in the peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Aliyev reaffirmed Baku’s commitment to regional peace and stability.
The leaders also discussed Slovak participation in projects on liberated territories and reviewed options for deeper economic cooperation.
Departure Ceremony
President Aliyev’s visit concluded with an official farewell ceremony at Bratislava’s Milan Rastislav Štefánik International Airport, where a guard of honor was lined up in his honor.
