(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 21. Azerbaijan stands out
as a frontrunner on the global stage, garnering growing interest as
an appealing European ally. Lithuania is among those European
partners of Azerbaijan that has been a support and strategic
partner for a long time. In the course of the last thirty years,
Azerbaijan and Lithuania have fostered amicable interstate
relations that have evolved into a partnership grounded in shared
perspectives on numerous global matters. Presently, both nations
are diligently working towards elevating trade and cooperation
across diverse domains to an entirely new level.
Bilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Lithuania
encompasses various areas of mutual interest, including political,
economic, cultural, and diplomatic relations. The two countries
have been working together to enhance cooperation and strengthen
their ties.
Lithuania advocates for enhanced cooperation between the EU and
Azerbaijan, recognizing Azerbaijan's significance within the EU's
Eastern Partnership platform and its strategic role as an energy
partner. Amidst the EU's efforts to reduce reliance on Russian
fossil fuels, there is a notable eagerness among EU member states
to enhance energy collaboration with alternative suppliers and
broaden the range of energy sources. Azerbaijan emerges as a
significant player in this pursuit, with the EU expressing a keen
interest in bolstering energy cooperation and securing increased
volumes of natural gas from Azerbaijan. The Lithuanian side has
repeatedly expressed its desire to expand energy partnership with
Azerbaijan as part of diversifying energy resource supplies.
With Lithuania's recent establishment of the gas pipeline
connecting the country and the Baltics to the European gas network
(GIPL), coupled with Lithuania's LNG terminal capabilities, the
prospects of Azerbaijani gas reaching Lithuania through
interconnections with the European Union are promising. In the
future, the gas from the Caspian region holds the potential to be
supplied to Lithuania, further strengthening energy ties between
the two countries.
Azerbaijan stands as one of Lithuania's most robust partners
when it comes to EU Twinning projects awarded to Lithuania within
the Eastern Partnership countries. To date, Lithuania has engaged
in 26 project selections in Azerbaijan, securing participation in
17 of them. This collaborative track record highlights the fruitful
cooperation and shared commitment between the two nations in
promoting mutual development and progress.
In 2022 alone, Lithuania has successfully secured four EU
Twinning projects in Azerbaijan, focusing on areas such as
transport safety, environmental protection, pension reform, and
healthcare. These projects demonstrate the ongoing commitment of
Lithuanian institutions to contribute their expertise and
collaborate with their Azerbaijani counterparts in driving positive
developments in these key sectors. Additionally, Lithuanian
institutions are currently actively implementing five EU Twinning
projects in Azerbaijan, further strengthening the bilateral
cooperation and exchange of knowledge between the two countries.
Moreover, in 2023, Lithuania will be assisting Azerbaijan in the
area of mine action through the EU Team Europe Initiative.
Economically, Azerbaijan and Lithuania have been fostering trade
and investment relations. In 2022, the trade turnover between the
two countries reached almost $33 million.
Both Azerbaijan and Lithuania have actively pursued strategies
to boost bilateral trade and explore untapped opportunities for
economic cooperation. Key sectors of focus include energy,
transportation, agriculture, and information technology.
Azerbaijan has been actively working to create a favorable
business environment that encourages investment, stimulates
economic growth, and supports the development of various
industries. The country has implemented a range of reforms and
initiatives to attract domestic and foreign businesses, improve the
ease of doing business, and enhance competitiveness.
A shared goal of creating an advantageous business climate has
driven initiatives to foster direct engagement between the business
communities of both nations, facilitating fruitful partnerships and
expanding economic ties. An economic forum between the business
communities of Azerbaijan and Lithuania was held in May 2022 as
part of the Lithuanian President's visit to Azerbaijan. The issues
the two delegations discussed includedtrade, investment,
agriculture, development of information technology, transport,
energy, education, etc. This event once again showed Azerbaijan's
growing attractiveness as a destination for business and
investment.
Today, Azerbaijan holds an influential position among its
European counterparts, thanks to the forward-thinking policies of
President Ilham Aliyev. Azerbaijan's reputation for effectively
executing oil and gas projects has earned the country immense
respect from its partners. However, it is not just the energy
sector that attracts attention. Increasingly, more countries are
recognizing the value of developing relations with Azerbaijan
across various sectors. The signing of strategic agreements with
European partners in recent years underscores the significance of
this policy direction. Europe's relationship with the Caucasus
would be incomplete without Azerbaijan's active participation and
influence. As a prominent leader in the South Caucasus region,
Azerbaijan's importance extends beyond its immediate neighbors,
making it a significant player on the entire European
continent.