Rasi Leaves for Three-Day Working Trip to Azerbaijan

Bratislava, 12 May (TASR) - House Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) left for a three-day working trip to Azerbaijan on Tuesday afternoon, the Parliament Office's media communications department has informed TASR. The main goal of his visit is to strengthen a strategic partnership, especially in the areas of parliamentary cooperation, energy security and support for Slovak investments. The agenda of Rasi's visit is focused on delivering concrete economic and political outcomes. "Our aim is to turn the strategic partnership into tangible results for our citizens and businesses. This visit isn't merely about courtesy gestures, but above all about building strong institutional bridges," stated Rasi. For example, a memorandum of understanding is due to be signed with Speaker of Azerbaijani Parliament Sahiba Gafarova. This should anchor bilateral relations between the two countries institutionally and provide a clear and lasting basis for cooperation for the coming years, said Rasi. Alongside strengthening the parliamentary dimension of the strategic partnership and discussing security challenges, the visit will also focus on deepening economic cooperation, in particular via the promotion of specific economic projects involving Slovak companies. One of the most significant items on the agenda should be support for Slovak firms operating in Azerbaijan, as Slovakia has become the first country ever to gain a state contract for implementing a smart village project in the Karabakh region. Rasi is scheduled to visit the village of Bash Garvand in the Agdam region on Friday (15 May). While in Azerbaijan, the House chair will also hold talks with President Ilham Aliyev on Thursday (14 May). The talks are also expected to focus on setting up a new regular Bratislava-Baku air route. Rasi's working visit follows the first-ever official visit by the Azerbaijani president to Slovakia in December 2025. ko/df