Alberto Rubio
“It is our hope that Spain will play an even greater role in promoting Azerbaijan’s relations with the European Union during its six-month Presidency,” Ambassador Ramiz Hasanov said during a reception on Tuesday to commemorate Azerbaijan’s bank holidays.
The ambassador recalled that “it is pleasing to note that Spain was one of the first countries to recognise independence and establish diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan“, in February 1992, and welcomed the fact that “these relations are developing in an upward trend” in all areas, including “a broad political dialogue”.
“Azerbaijan is considered a strategic political partner in the South Caucasus,” Hasanov said, referring to the agreement with the EU, which has made the country “a supplier of energy resources and a partner in the construction of transcontinental transport lines“. He expressed confidence that “the signing of the joint declaration of strategic partnership will further strengthen bilateral cooperation and contribute to the development of our relations”.
The Deputy Director General for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Gabriel Cremades, agreed with the ambassador, to whom he assured that “we will continue to work to strengthen our bilateral relations” and stressed that “Spain is determined to continue favouring the deepening of the EU-Azerbaijan relationship during the six-month presidency, which will begin on 1 July”.
In the area of international policy, both agreed, in relation to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, to defend respect for territorial integrity and the inviolability of internationally recognised borders.
Finally, Hasanov welcomed the steps being taken towards the signing of a peace treaty with Armenia and expressed his hope that it would soon become a reality, allowing the reconstruction of Karabakh and the return of internally displaced persons to their homes.
The reception was attended by numerous ambassadors, including those of Russia, Israel, Austria, the Czech Republic, Albania, Moldova, Bosnia and Slovenia.
During the event, attendees enjoyed a piano concert by Azerbaijani composer Turan Manafzade, as well as an exhibition of traditional handicrafts and a tasting of typical Azerbaijani dishes.
The celebration commemorated the 105th anniversary of the country’s independence, which, although it lasted only 23 months, was a democratic milestone. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, proclaimed after the fall of the Russian Empire, was the first democratic and secular republic in the Muslim world. And the first to guarantee civil and political rights for citizens throughout its territory without discrimination based on nationality, religion, gender or social status. One of its greatest achievements was the approval of women’s suffrage, among other social advances.
