President: Southern Gas Corridor good example of Azerbaijani-Italian co-op

/By AzerNews/

By Aynur Karimova

The Southern Gas Corridor is a good example of successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy.

This statement was made by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at a meeting with his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarello in Rome on July 9.

President Aliyev is on a working visit to Italy to attend the opening of Azerbaijan’s pavilion in the Expo Milano 2015 international exhibition.

President Aliyev said the Southern Gas Corridor project will contribute to the energy security in Europe, as well as the further expansion of cooperation between the two countries.

The head of state said Italy is an important country for Azerbaijan and stressed the significance of the document on strategic partnership, adopted during his last visit to Italy.

Noting the importance of Italy as the main trade partner of Azerbaijan, the head of state emphasized the successful development of bilateral relations in the political, economic, cultural, as well as energy, construction, industrial, transportation industries.

President Aliyev also reminded that Italian companies are active in various sectors of the Azerbaijani economy.

Noting the successful development of bilateral relations between the two countries, the President of Italy stressed the important role of Azerbaijan in the processes occurring in the region and around the world.

President Mattarello thanked President Aliyev for participation in Expo Milano 2015. He stressed the strong and friendly relations between the two countries. He praised Azerbaijan's role not only in the region but also in the implementation of international dialogue in general.

President Mattarello also congratulated the Azerbaijani president on a wonderful organization and holding of the Baku-2015 First European Games.

During the meeting the sides noted the importance of further expansion of economic, political and cultural relations, the importance of bilateral relations in terms of strengthening the cooperation between Azerbaijan and European Union and exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

As part of the visit, President Aliyev also held an expanded meeting with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

President Aliyev highlighted the friendly relations between the two countries, saying bilateral relations successfully developed in various fields.

The Head of State also highly appreciated the representation of Italy with a large delegation in Baku-2015 First European Games.

He further said Expo Milano 2015 exhibition was arranged at the highest level.

Renzi, in turn, stressed the importance of further continuing the cooperation in the direction of implementation of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline project.

The sides expressed assurance that the cooperation in non-energy sector would also further boost.

Italy recognized Azerbaijan's independence in 1991. The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1992. Italy has become the biggest trade partner of Azerbaijan in importing crude oil and oil products.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Italy amounted to over $5.078 billion in 2014, according to the Azerbaijan's State Statistics Committee.

Italy mainly exports pipes for the oil sector, tobacco, leather and furniture to Azerbaijan.

Being one of Azerbaijan's major partners in Europe, Italy has been Azerbaijan's number one trade partner for the last eight years. It is the largest importer of Azerbaijani goods. Currently, 45 Italian companies are operating in Azerbaijan in insurance, banking, trade, and other areas.

Italy and Azerbaijan successfully cooperate in the energy field as well. The selection of TAP by the Shah Deniz consortium boosted bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.