By Pietro Andrea Podda

On the 28^th May, the Embassy of Azerbaijan in the Czech Republic has organized the celebration of the Independence Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The selected venue has been the prestigious Bohemia Ballroom at the Marriott Hotel

H.E. Mr. Adish Mammadov and his Spouse Mrs. Amanat Pashazade have welcomed the guests, who have on the main been diplomats of other embassies, political and business personalities as well as friends of Azerbaijan.

After the Azeri and Czech national anthems have been played, the official speeches have been offered by H.E. and by the Honorable Director General for European Issues of the Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic Mr. Jaroslav Kurfürst. Both honorable speakers have highlighted the importance of the consolidated relationships between the two countries.  After the speeches, guests have had the possibility to network and enjoy the delicious Azerbaijani national cuisine and the wine offered.

In particular, His Excellency has reminded the origins of the Independence Day. On May 28 1918, the people of Azerbaijan established the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which counts as the first democratic and secular republic in the Islamic East. After 1920, the territory of Azerbaijan became a Republic within the Soviet Union.  Full independence was re-established in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union with the creation of the Republic of Azerbaijan as the successor of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.

Nowadays, the Republic of Azerbaijan is an important economic reality. Dynamic and endowed with natural resources. Currently, there are 89 Azeri diplomatic missions abroad. On the other side, 88 countries have their diplomatic missions in Azerbaijan, with 15 consulates accredited as well.   The economic strength of Azerbaijan is remarkable. It supplies a number of European countries with crude oil and natural gas via the Southern Gas Corridor. In 2023, Azerbaijan sold more than 12 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe and it is estimated that this volume will increase to 20 billion cubic meters by 2027.

The Ambassador also mentioned that in 2020, Azerbaijan liberated its lands from Armenian occupation, thereby ensuring its territorial integrity and sovereignty. He noticed that large scale construction and rehabilitation works are underway, there is constructing new towns villages and in the liberated territories.

Speaking about the relations between Azerbaijan and Czech Republic, the Ambassador said that these relations are based on strategic partnership and Azerbaijan is the biggest trade partner of the Czech Republic in the South Caucasus.