Political relations between the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan
The diplomatic relations between the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan were established in January 1993. However, the first stage of relations (1993-2006) was specific in the sense of lower activity, above all due to other priorities of both countries.
Sizable progress within the Czech-Azerbaijani relationship has been made after opening the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Prague (July 2007).
The Czech Republic, on the base of reciprocity and with regard to economical and strategic potential of Azerbaijan, made the decision to appoint Radek Matula Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan with residence in Prague. Radek Matula presented his letters of credence to President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev in July 2008. Full-fledged Embassy of the Czech Republic in Baku started its work in December 2009.
Period of 2008-2012 could be characterized by expressive development of political contacts between the officials of two countries, effective creation of the legal basis of the relations and the deepening of mutual cooperation in the fields of economy, tourism, culture and education.
The current state of relationships provides an adequate framework and atmosphere for further developing and intensifying of bilateral cooperation. Our bilateral relations are not burdened with any substantial problems
The summary of bilateral visits:
July, 2008 | Minister of Foreign Affairs K. Schwarzenberg in Baku |
September, 2008 | First Deputy Minister of Environment J. Dusík in Baku |
December, 2008 | Minister of Foreign Affairs E. Mammadyarov in Prague |
February, 2009 | Prime-Minister M. Topolánek in Baku (historically the first visit of the President of the European Council to Azerbaijan) |
February, 2009 | Minister of Finance S. Sharifov in the Czech Republic |
May, 2009 | President I. Aliyev in Prague (Eastern Partnership and Southern Corridor Summits; bilateral meeting with President V. Klaus) |
July, 2009 | Minister of Finance E. Janota in Baku |
September, 2009 | Chairman of Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic P. Sobotka in Baku |
October, 2009 | Vice-premier and Minister of Defense M. Barták in Baku |
May, 2010 |
Vice-premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs J. Kohout in Baku (official opening of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Baku) |
January, 2011 | Minister of Defense Industry Y. Jamalov in Prague |
April, 2011 | Minister of Culture J. Besser in Baku (World Forum for Intercultural dialog; bilateral meeting with Azerbaijani counterpart A. Garayev) |
May, 2011 |
President V. Klaus in Azerbaijan |
March, 2012 | Minister of Foreign Affairs E. Mammadyarov in Prague (Ministerial meeting V4-Eastern Partnership) |
April, 2012 |
President I. Aliyev in Prague |
May, 2013 | Minister of Culture A. Hanakova in Baku (World Forum for Intercultural dialog; bilateral meeting with Azerbaijani counterpart A. Garayev) |
The list of bilateral agreements:
1. Agreement on elimination of double taxation for income and property between the Government of the Czech Republic and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and prevention of tax evasion, Prague, 24.11.2005, No. 74/2006 Sb.
2. Arrangement on cooperation in the sphere of tax administration between Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic and Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Baku, 11.09.2007, No. 76/2008 Sb.
3. Memorandum on cooperation in the sphere of environment between Ministry of Environment of the Czech Republic and Ministry of Ecology of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Baku, 25.09.2008, No. 38/2009 Sb.
4. Agreement on cooperation in the sphere of defense between Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic and Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Baku, 01.10.2009, No. 20/2010 Sb.
5. Agreement on economical, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation between the Government of the Czech Republic and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Baku, 31.10.2009, No. 46/2010 Sb.
6. Air transport agreement between the Government of the Czech Republic and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Baku, 14.05.2012, No. 42/2011 Sb.
7. Agreement on support and reciprocal protection of investment between the Government of the Czech Republic and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Baku, 17.05.2011
8. Convention on exchange and reciprocal protection of secret information between the Government of the Czech Republic and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Baku, 17.05.2011
9. Agreement on cooperation in the sphere of tourism between Ministry of Regional Development of the Czech Republic and Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Prague, 05.04.2012
10. Agreement on cooperation in the sphere of culture between Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Prague, 05.04.2012