BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 13. Azerbaijan and
North Macedonia possess vast potential for expanded cooperation,
the political analyst Azer Garayev said in an interview with
Trend.
“Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and North Macedonia
were established in June 1995. Over the years, political dialogue
has developed consistently, and an environment of cooperation based
on mutual trust has been formed. The Republic of North Macedonia
supports Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
After the Second Karabakh War in 2020, North Macedonia has been
one of the European countries that clearly supported Azerbaijan’s
position. Both countries continue to support each other in
international organizations. Azerbaijan and North Macedonia
effectively collaborate within organizations such as the United
Nations (UN) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in
Europe (OSCE),” he said.
According to Garayev, in recent years, the bilateral political
dialogue has entered a new phase.
Official visits and political consultations indicate an
intensification of activities in this direction. The official visit
of North Macedonia’s President, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, to
Azerbaijan in the coming days is proof of this. As President Ilham
Aliyev noted during his statement with President
Siljanovska-Davkova to the press, both countries are working
actively to enhance bilateral relations.
“I am glad that the political dialogue between our countries is
assuming a dynamic nature. Our second meeting with Madam President
in a short period of time is clear evidence of that,” said the
President of Azerbaijan.
As Garayev explains, additional measures should be taken to
develop our political relations. Relevant state institutions should
be in close contact, of course. At the same time, opportunities in
the economic sphere and in the field of investment should be
explored. Siljanovska-Davkova, in turn, expressed hope that the two
countries could achieve stronger cooperation in the coming years.
These statements further prove that the leadership of both
countries is deeply interested in expanding cooperation, and there
are ample opportunities for doing so.
The political analyst noted that there is untapped potential for
economic cooperation.
“Economic relations between Azerbaijan and North Macedonia have
not yet reached their full potential, but significant opportunities
exist for further development. Trade turnover between the two
countries is growing. There are interesting opportunities for
Azerbaijani companies in the North Macedonian market, and there are
also similar opportunities for North Macedonian businesses in
Azerbaijan. At the end of last year, the two countries began
cooperation in the energy sector, and Azerbaijan has started
supplying gas to North Macedonia. As the President of our country
mentioned, Azerbaijan will regularly supply natural gas to the
North Macedonian market this year. There are even plans to increase
the volume of gas supply in the future,” he added.
Garayev highlighted Azerbaijan’s strategic role in European
energy security:
“Through the Southern Gas Corridor and the Trans-Adriatic
Pipeline, Azerbaijani natural gas is transported to Europe,
contributing to the diversification of energy sources and routes.
Azerbaijan’s gas exports stabilize the energy supply to Italy,
Greece, Bulgaria, and other countries. With North Macedonia now
included among the countries receiving Azerbaijani gas,
Azerbaijan’s contribution to ensuring energy security in Europe
naturally encourages other countries to cooperate with Azerbaijan
in this area. As President Ilham Aliyev has emphasized, Europe
needs Azerbaijani gas,” the political analyst said.
Garayev also noted that transportation projects involving
Azerbaijan in the region, such as the Middle Corridor and the
Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, provide new opportunities for North
Macedonia.
“North Macedonia is interested in integrating into transport
hubs connecting Europe and Asia. In this regard, Baku can serve as
a strategic partner. Azerbaijan’s location at the intersection of
East-West and North-South transport corridors facilitates North
Macedonia’s access to the South Caucasus region and Central Asia.
This will strengthen the logistics links between the two countries
and allow for an increase in trade volume,” he added.
The expert emphasized that deepening cooperation in the energy
sector, increasing trade turnover, exploring investment
opportunities, and collaboration in education and culture would
serve the interests of both countries.
“Relations between Azerbaijan and North Macedonia are developing
in a friendly and strategic cooperation environment. In the context
of Europe’s energy security and ensuring stability in the region,
the Baku-Skopje line holds special significance. Projects in
energy, trade, transportation, and other fields will not only serve
the mutual interests of both countries but will also contribute to
sustainable development in the region as a whole,” he
concluded.
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