An interview by the CASPIA Analytical Center with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Miloš Svrček, PhD., LL.M., MSc., Institute of Security Sciences, Department of Security Sciences, The University of Security Management in Košice

As Slovakia and Azerbaijan continue to deepen their strategic partnership, the official visit of Slovak President Peter Pellegrini to Azerbaijan on 13–15 July 2026 has attracted considerable attention among foreign policy and security experts. Coming after President Ilham Aliyev’s historic visit to Slovakia in December 2025, the visit reflects a broader trend in Slovak foreign policy toward pragmatic engagement with strategically important partners beyond the traditional Euro-Atlantic space.

In this interview with the CASPIA Analytical Center, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Miloš Svrček, PhD., LL.M., MSc., an expert in international security and foreign policy from the Institute of Security Sciences, Department of Security Sciences, The University of Security Management in Košice, discusses the significance of the presidential visit, the future of Slovak-Azerbaijani cooperation, and the growing role of Azerbaijan in Slovakia’s energy security strategy.

- What is the significance of the Slovak President's recent visit to Azerbaijan for Slovakia's foreign policy?

- The official visit of President Peter Pellegrini to Azerbaijan, held from 13 to 15 July 2026, represents a significant and pragmatic step in the development of Slovak foreign policy. It is an important continuation of the strategic partnership between the two countries, formalised through the Declaration on Strategic Partnership in 2024, and follows the reciprocal official visit of President Ilham Aliyev to Slovakia in December 2025.

The importance of the visit can be viewed from several perspectives.

First, it reflects the diversification of Slovakia's foreign policy priorities. Although the Slovak Republic remains firmly anchored within the European Union and NATO, the visit demonstrates Bratislava's ambition to strengthen relations with strategically important partners in regions such as the South Caucasus. This represents a pragmatic multi-vector approach that complements rather than replaces Slovakia's Euro-Atlantic orientation.

Second, the visit underscores the growing importance of energy diplomacy. As the European Union moves towards ending imports of Russian natural gas by 2027, Slovakia must diversify its energy sources. Azerbaijan has emerged as a reliable and increasingly important supplier, making cooperation in the energy sector a strategic priority.

Third, the visit highlighted the role of economic diplomacy. Slovakia presented its expertise in smart cities, post-conflict reconstruction, and industrial cooperation, including participation in projects such as the Smart Village initiative in the Agdam district. This positions Slovakia not only as an energy consumer but also as a partner capable of contributing to Azerbaijan's long-term development while creating opportunities for Slovak companies.

Finally, the visit carried an important symbolic and geopolitical dimension. President Pellegrini's visit to Karabakh and participation in the laying of the foundation stone for a school named after General Milan Rastislav Štefánik demonstrated Slovakia's willingness to engage constructively in post-conflict reconstruction. It also strengthens Slovakia's profile as a credible European partner in a region traditionally influenced by larger regional powers.

Overall, this was not an isolated diplomatic event but part of a consistent long-term strategy that combines loyalty to Slovakia's Euro-Atlantic commitments with pragmatic economic and energy interests. The real test, however, will be whether political declarations are translated into concrete outcomes, particularly long-term energy agreements and successful joint economic projects.

- Why has Slovakia decided to strengthen its ties with Azerbaijan at this particular moment?

- The decision to deepen bilateral relations in 2025–2026 results from the convergence of several strategic, economic, and geopolitical factors.

The most important driver is undoubtedly energy security. Slovakia has historically been among the EU Member States most dependent on Russian natural gas. The combination of the EU's diversification strategy and recent transit disruptions has demonstrated the urgency of securing alternative suppliers. Azerbaijan offers a realistic and reliable solution, and acting now allows Slovakia to negotiate long-term contracts before the EU's transition away from Russian gas is completed.

A second factor is the strong political momentum created by reciprocal presidential visits. President Ilham Aliyev's official visit to Slovakia in December 2025 established a solid political foundation, while President Pellegrini's visit provides an opportunity to transform political goodwill into tangible cooperation.

Economic considerations also play a major role. Azerbaijan is investing heavily in the reconstruction and modernisation of Karabakh, creating significant opportunities for Slovak companies in infrastructure, smart technologies, environmental engineering, and industrial development. At a time when Slovakia seeks to expand its exports, this represents an attractive emerging market.

Finally, Slovakia is pursuing a pragmatic foreign policy based on strategic diversification. While maintaining its firm commitment to the EU and NATO, it recognises the importance of building partnerships with reliable energy producers in an increasingly fragmented international environment.

This particular moment is therefore unique because energy diversification has become an urgent necessity, bilateral political relations have reached an unprecedented level, and Azerbaijan itself is actively seeking deeper cooperation with European partners. Slovakia is responding pragmatically by turning a strategic challenge into a broader long-term partnership.

- How important is Azerbaijan for Slovakia's energy security, and do you expect energy cooperation to expand?

- Azerbaijan is steadily becoming one of Slovakia's most important partners in strengthening national energy security.

For decades Slovakia relied heavily on Russian gas. However, the events of recent years have demonstrated the risks associated with excessive dependence on a single supplier. Azerbaijan has already proven to be a reliable alternative through pilot gas deliveries organised by SOCAR, while negotiations on a long-term supply agreement continue.

The key value of Azerbaijan lies in its contribution to energy diversification and the stability of supplies through the Southern Gas Corridor.

Looking ahead, I expect cooperation to expand gradually rather than dramatically.

The first priority should be the conclusion of a medium- to long-term gas supply agreement, ideally lasting between five and ten years, with clearly defined supply volumes and pricing mechanisms. Such an agreement would provide stability for both countries.

A second challenge concerns transit logistics. Gas deliveries require efficient transport routes through South-Eastern and Central Europe, whether via Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary or through alternative reverse-flow mechanisms. Without resolving these logistical issues, the full potential of bilateral energy cooperation cannot be realised.

Cooperation should also expand beyond natural gas. There is considerable scope for collaboration in gas storage, renewable energy projects, and wider infrastructure development involving Slovak companies.

Institutionally, regular meetings between the respective energy ministries and the establishment of a permanent bilateral working group would provide the necessary framework for long-term cooperation.

In practical terms, Slovakia is negotiating annual supplies of approximately 1.2 billion cubic metres of natural gas. Given Slovakia's annual consumption of roughly 4.5 billion cubic metres, Azerbaijani gas could eventually cover around one quarter of national demand after 2027.

For Slovakia, this would significantly strengthen energy resilience and reduce geopolitical risks. For Azerbaijan, it would further consolidate its position as a reliable supplier to Central Europe and the European Union.

The prospects are therefore highly positive, provided that contractual and logistical issues are resolved within the next year or two.

- What concrete outcomes or joint projects do you expect to emerge from this presidential visit over the next few years?

- I expect the visit to produce gradual but measurable results rather than immediate large-scale breakthroughs. The political foundation has now been established, and the next phase must focus on implementation.

The highest priority will naturally be energy cooperation. I expect the conclusion of a medium- to long-term gas supply contract covering approximately 1–1.5 billion cubic metres annually, together with the establishment of a bilateral energy working group responsible for coordinating transit routes and technical issues.

Beyond energy, I anticipate a significant expansion of economic and infrastructure cooperation. Slovak companies possess valuable expertise in smart technologies, environmental engineering, water management, and industrial construction, all of which are highly relevant to Azerbaijan's reconstruction efforts in Karabakh. The Smart Village project in the Agdam district could serve as a model for further joint initiatives.

Regular Slovak-Azerbaijani business forums should also become an institutional feature of bilateral relations, facilitating new investment and commercial partnerships.

Another important development will be the planned launch of direct flights between Bratislava and Baku from October 2026. Improved connectivity should significantly strengthen tourism, academic exchanges, business travel, and broader people-to-people contacts.

I also expect further progress in educational and cultural cooperation, building on initiatives such as the Milan Rastislav Štefánik school. University partnerships and student exchange programmes could become valuable pillars of the bilateral relationship.

Finally, although on a more limited scale, opportunities may emerge in selected areas of defence-industrial cooperation.

Ultimately, the success of the presidential visit will depend on how quickly political commitments are transformed into concrete agreements. If, by the end of 2027, Slovakia and Azerbaijan conclude a long-term gas contract and successfully implement several pilot infrastructure projects involving Slovak companies, the visit can be regarded as a major success.

The partnership has genuine long-term potential. Slovakia stands to gain greater energy security, expanded export opportunities, and stronger international positioning, while Azerbaijan benefits from a stable European partner and access to Slovak technological expertise supporting its continued economic development.