Interview with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Azerbaijan, Tobias Lorentzson, for APA
Bilateral relations between Sweden and Azerbaijan are developing successfully
- Mr. Ambassador, how would you assess the current state of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Sweden? In which areas do you see the greatest potential for further development?
- The bilateral relations between Sweden and Azerbaijan are developing successfully, and the recent visit to Baku of Tobias Thyberg, Head of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Department at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, is a testament to that. There are regular high-level contacts between our two countries, including in the Nordic-Baltic format. Last year, political directors from the Nordic-Baltic countries visited Baku for productive meetings with their counterparts.
As part of our efforts to develop bilateral relations, the Embassy of Sweden is putting particular emphasis on gender equality, economic relations, people-to-people contacts and study opportunities. Azerbaijan was one of the first countries in the world to grant voting rights to women, and gender equality is a core value of Sweden’s foreign policy. The Embassy is cooperating with state actors, international organisations, civil society and artists in Azerbaijan to further women’s rights.
One area of cooperation with a lot of potential are the different connectivity projects in Azerbaijan that have been made possible thanks to progress in the peace and normalization process with Armenia. Sweden has a lot of successful companies and technical solutions that can be involved in these projects, including the modernization of the railway link through Nakhichevan.
We are also happy to see that so many bright young Azerbaijani students choose Sweden as their study destination. Over the past years Azerbaijan has been among the top three eligible countries in terms of Swedish Institute Scholarship holders. We hope that some of these talented students will want to stay in Sweden to work after the end of their studies.
We hope to reach a broader audience beyond Baku in the future
- Sweden has joined NATO. How do you think this step will affect Sweden’s activities in the South Caucasus, including in Azerbaijan?
- Since last year, Sweden is Contact Point Embassy for NATO in Azerbaijan together with the Embassy of Slovakia. In this role, the Embassy has supported NATO’s public outreach efforts in Azerbaijan, informing the broader public about NATO’s role and mandate, and highlighting the benefits of Azerbaijan’s active partnership with NATO.
Recently, we facilitated the visit of NATO Deputy Secretary-General Radmila Shekerinska to Baku, as well as a visit of NATO Ambassadors to Baku. Last year we helped organize a public diplomacy event at ADA University with Azerbaijani students and representatives of civil society. In the future, we hope to be able to reach out to the broader public outside Baku.
As a NATO member, as well as in the EU, the UN, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, Sweden will continue to promote the fundamental values of our foreign and security policy, including the international rules-based and multilateral order, democracy, human rights and gender equality.
Supporting long-term peace and stability in the region is toreinforce he messages of peace coming from both Azerbaijan and Armenia
- I would like to touch upon the Azerbaijan–Armenia normalization process…
- A crucial way to support long-term peace and stability in the region is to reinforce the messages of peace coming from both Azerbaijan and Armenia, and to emphasize the benefits of peace for the people in the region. And not only messages, but also concrete actions such export of oil products from Azerbaijan, transit of goods from third countries and ongoing civil society dialogues such as the Peace Bridge Initiative.
We can also support by contributing to reconnecting Azerbaijan and Armenia through connectivity projects in order to promote further economic integration. Recently, the European Union and Azerbaijan agreed to strengthen their partnership under the EU’s Global Gateway initiative and the Cross-Regional Connectivity Agenda. This partnership will help unlock new economic opportunities and foster long-term shared prosperity, cooperation and peace through sustainable and resilient links in transport, digital, energy, and trade.
The signing, ratification and implementation of the peace agreement is essential for long-lasting peace. In Washington, President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan acknowledged the need to continue further actions to achieve this. In the meantime, it is encouraging to see that Azerbaijan and Armenia already have started to implement the peace agenda agreed at the Washington Summit in August last year.
Azerbaijan is an important energy partner for the European Union
- How does Sweden assess Azerbaijan’s role as an energy partner for the European Union?
- Azerbaijan is an important energy partner for the EU. Azerbaijan’s gas exports to Europe are part of the efforts of the EU to diversify its energy imports. The main framework for this partnership is the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Azerbaijan and the EU in 2022.
Cooperation between Sweden and Azerbaijan in the field of renewable energy holds great potential
- Climate change and the “green transition” are priorities for Sweden. Does Sweden have concrete plans for cooperation with Azerbaijan in the fields of renewable energy and environmental protection?
- In light of Azerbaijan’s green transition, cooperation between Sweden and Azerbaijan in renewable energy holds a lot of potential. COP29 in Baku provided a useful opportunity for Swedish business actors to explore the Azerbaijani market. In Mingachevir, the Swedish company AFRY is offering engineering and consultancy services to expand the largest power project in the country, the construction of the 1800 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant. And Emtunga, a long-standing provider of modular offshore housing, is aiming for long-term engagement in Azerbaijan also in the sector of renewables.
In connection with the World Urban Forum in Baku in May this year, we are planning an exhibition on how Sweden uses wood as one of few renewable building materials and how sustainable architecture, design and urbanism can help reduce the climate impact of buildings and products.
There are clear opportunities to expand the existing trade relations between Sweden and Azerbaijan
- How would you assess the current level of economic and trade relations between Sweden and Azerbaijan, and which sectors could attract greater Swedish investment in the future?
- There is clear scope for expanding the current trade relations between Sweden and Azerbaijan. Swedish business is present in Azerbaijan with several companies, including Ericsson, Volvo, SystemAir, Assa Abloy, Oriflame, Emtunga and SKF. With the progress in the peace process and the increasing role of Azerbaijan in the development of the Middle Corridor, I am convinced that more Swedish companies will see Azerbaijan as a potential trade partner. A conducive business climate, including respect for rule of law, is another important factor Swedish business actors look at when considering entering a new market.
- Azerbaijan is implementing large-scale reconstruction and development projects in its liberated territories. Do you see opportunities for Swedish companies to participate in these projects, and which sectors could be particularly attractive?
- I see good opportunities for this, and as a matter of fact, several Swedish companies are already taking part in the reconstruction efforts.
Azerbaijan’s committed partnership with NATO is also significant
- How do you assess the potential for developing dialogue and cooperation between Sweden and Azerbaijan in the fields of defense and security, particularly in the context of regional stability and international partnerships?
- Issues related to regional security are a natural part of the bilateral dialogue between Sweden and Azerbaijan. This dialogue is becoming increasingly relevant in light of the current geopolitical situation. Azerbaijan’s committed partnership with NATO is also significant in this regard. Azerbaijan cooperates with NATO Allies and other partner countries in many areas, including defence and related security sector reform, cyber security, and counterterrorism. Azerbaijan also has a long-standing interest in support to de-mining as well as the protection of critical energy infrastructure, including against terrorist attacks. Sweden and Azerbaijan also share an interest in supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia’s war of aggression. Sweden and Azerbaijan are both assisting Ukraine in meeting its urgent energy needs as a response to Russia’s attacks on the country’s energy sector.
- Reports have circulated that Azerbaijan is considering the purchase of 48 Swedish-made Saab JAS 39 Gripen multirole fighter jets. Can you comment on this?
- I am not aware of any discussions regarding the sale of Saab 39 Gripen E/F to Azerbaijan.
