Eurasia Diary conducted an exclusive interview with Mr. Giampaolo Cutillo, Ambassador of Italy to Azerbaijan.Mr. Giampaolo Cutillo talked about many important issues including relations between Azerbaijan and Italy,the result of election in USA  and so on.

Eurasia Diary: Dear Mr. Ambassador, what could you say about last visit of Paolo Gentiloni, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic to Azerbaijan? Which main issues between Azerbaijan and Italy were discussed during this visit?  

Giampaolo Cutillo: It has been an important and successful visit. Minister Paolo Gentiloni had the opportunity to meet with President Aliyev and of course with his homologue, Minister  Mammadyarov . We also held a meeting with a group of Italian companies, who were accompanying the Minister, and that was chaired by Natiq Aliyev, the Minister of energy. There were wide and comprehensive talks about different issues. First of all, our bilateral relations, of course. You know that Italy and Azerbaijan are very close partners. We are working together on the Southern Gas Corridor. Our Minister reaffirmed Italy’s commitment on that, on the construction of TAP. On the other side, we had several other companies who are now interested in Azerbaijan, in its diversification. So, Italy is also there an important partner, for example, in the petrochemical sector; but also, in perspective, in agriculture, in transport, infrastructures, logistics, a number of sectors where we are there, with our companies and our know-how, in partnership with Azerbaijan.

And then there was also an opportunity to talk about some of the most important international issues including Italy’s upcoming presidency of the OSCE in 2018. The Minister of course was very interested in hearing what his Azerbaijanis colleagues had to tell him about this, about the situation in Europe and the frozen conflicts, including of course Nagorno-Karabakh. It was a very useful, friendly and constructive discussion and this once again shows the importance and the high level of cooperation that Italy and Azerbaijan have attained. 

Eurasia Diary: What can you say about Pope’s last visit to Azerbaijan?

Giampaolo Cutillo: The Pope’s visit was an historical visit, as President Aliyev said.  I agree on that because the meaning is very simple. The Pope is a spiritual leader and when he comes to a Country as Azerbaijan this I believe is as an acknowledgement of the fact that Azerbaijan is a Country which is tolerant and guarantees freedom of religion for everybody. It is a country which is promoting dialogue and multiculturalism and I believe that in this framework it was very important to receive here the Pope and he gave a very important speech at the Heydar Aliyev Center. Definitely, a very important event for the Country.

Eurasia Diary: Italy is Azerbaijan's largest trade partner. What is the trade turnover between our countries, in which spheres the trade should be increased, taking the recent financial crisis into account and decreasing oil prices? Where do you see improvement in commerce and business between Azerbaijan and Italy? So, how can we improve business and commerce between these 2 countries?

Giampaolo Cutillo: In 2015 the volume of trade between Italy and Azerbaijan reached approximately 5 billion euro. It is definitely a very big amount, which makes of Italy the first trading partner of Azerbaijan. We are strong importers of Azerbaijan’s oil and at the same time we are partners in many other sectors. Italy’s export has been increasing over the last three or four years, so we have reached a very significant presence of Italian products in this country. Of course, 2016 has been a difficult year because of the financial crisis and because of the devaluation of manat, which somehow contributed to reduce the volume of trade. I believe that at the end of year we will be experiencing a reduction of probably 30 to 50 percent of our trade volume. But I believe that this is a temporary factor and we are definitely seeing an improvement for the next year and this improvement can take place in many other sectors, starting of course from the more traditional sector of our cooperation, energy, but also in all those sectors which have to do with the diversification of Azerbaijan’s economy. For example, agriculture and the industrial base of Azerbaijan, with the construction of new plants which will require machineries and equipments, where Italian technologies are very well positioned in this country.

 So, we are going through a very particular year, but there are good signs for the future that we will continue to increase our economic cooperation.

Eurasia Diary: If possible, I would like to ask you as a career diplomat in United States about the presidential elections that took place and ended yesterday. As we know, Italy has a large lobby in the United States. Italy-born citizens play an important role in United States foreign and domestic policy as well as in economic development. So from your viewpoint, what is the meaning of Trump presidency for Italy that is one of the most important countries in EU and for large Italian lobby in US?

Giampaolo Cutillo: I would say the Italian community in the United States is traditionally a strong one, but it is part of a very wide, complex, multicultural and multiethnic society. It is one of the communities which definitely has influence on American politics. As to President’s Trump election, I think this is something which has come at the end of a very hard fought campaign .We all have been witness to that. Now, the fact is that we have a new American President which I see has been congratulated by most of the world leaders, including from Europe and from Italy. Of course, the United States of America are one of the most important partners for us, for Italy and for the European Union. There is no doubt that we will continue to work with them, I mean along the same values, principles and interests that have held us together at least for the last 70 years. We will continue along that path and we wish President Donald Trump to do a very good job, in the interest of his country but also for the whole international community.

Eurasia Diary: It’s hard to find someone in Azerbaijan who doesn’t know Italy or someone who doesn’t like anything in this country. Prior to your appointment as an ambassador to Azerbaijan, what was your opinion about our country and did it changes after you closely review it?

Giampaolo Cutillo: If it has changed, it has changed in better and I will explain why.  When I came here of course I knew this is a country which is a crossroad between East and West - between Europe and Asia. I was prepared to see here a very mixed, complex and ancient country which is what I found in Azerbaijan. At the same time, I have seen a country which is really doing very well, developing at a quick pace.  If we look at the city of Baku, there is a complete transformation of the town, of in the way it looks and it is really a beautiful place. I have to say that I feel comfortable here and what I have found is a very interesting place from the point of view of my profession, given the importance of our relations with Azerbaijan. And, at the same time, it is a pleasant place for my family and I am really happy to be here.

Eurasia Diary: During your first visit to Azerbaijan, what was more or less difficult for you to get used to?

Giampaolo Cutillo: Well, possibly the language, because for my fault I never tried to learn the Azeri language, but at the same time this has not been a big issue. First of all, because Italians and Azerbaijanis even when we do not share a common language, we always find a way to communicate. Overall, I never felt any special problem in my daily life because, the people are welcoming and I have to be honest, as an Italian I always felt that special consideration and sympathy and warmth, towards myself as a person and also as a representative of my Country.

 Eurasia Diary: Its common opinion that Italy is one of the countries that doesn't follow to changes in Europe. For instance, I heard that Italians are the least foreign language speaking nation? Is it true? During your residing here, do you learn something in Azeri language?

Giampaolo Cutillo: I do not know if this is true, this could be a bit of a common place. Because there are many other people around the world which are not very fluent with foreign languages, and some others are more lucky because if you speak English today, as a native English speaker, you don’t need to learn anything else. In my case, apart from English, I have learned French and Spanish, which are beautiful and useful languages. Unfortunately I have not learned any Azeri and I have to admit it is only my fault.

Eurasia Diary: As a nation, we feel ourselves very close to the Italians. Sometimes even, we can find a lot of common features. Looking outside, can you see the similarity?

Giampaolo Cutillo:  I see the similarities in the way we look at life, at family, sociality, friendship and hospitality, the way we get together. When you have an Italian and an Azerbaijani sitting at the same table, whether they are discussing business or just having good time together as friends, you see that they have the same spirit in the way of approaching life and trying to enjoy it as much as possible. Even when we are talking about serious business, it doesn’t mean that we have to be gloomy or do not enjoy life.  There is always a good moment to enjoy life in an honest and straightforward way and I believe that from that point of view Italians and Azerbaijanis share this common approach.

Eurasia Diary: Today Azerbaijan is looking forward to the rapid development in the tourism sector and there is a good example as Italy in front of it. As a representative of the country, which steps do you think Azerbaijan should take in this area?

Giampaolo Cutillo: Azerbaijan has already done a lot, if you look at the infrastructure, hotels in the country, and there is still a big potential.  Azerbaijan is a beautiful country which has a lot of tourists from abroad. If you look at the tourism from Italy which is still relatively low, I believe that one factor that should be strengthened is air connections. There are only two weekly flights to Milano and this is definitely not enough. We would need a direct flight to Rome and so on. This is important because if you want any Italian to come to Baku spent 3 or 4 days here and enjoy the beauty of the city, you need direct flights, otherwise it is not enough to come for 3 or 4 days.

Eurasia Diary: In which regions of Azerbaijan did you rest?

Giampaolo Cutillo: Unfortunately, I haven’t traveled as much as I would have liked because life in Baku is very active and there is always something to do. However, I have been to Guba, Shahdagh and I want to see more. Of course, all the surroundings of Baku, from Gobustan to other places nearby. I am looking forward to the winter to see some other places in the mountains and next spring I will probably make a tour of the whole country.

Eurasia Diary: Which countries have you been? Are there any country you admired and eager to return again and again?

Giampaolo Cutillo: I have lived in India and Pakistan and South America. But this is a different story, when you live in a place and not just visit. I have had intense experiences in all of these countries, but if we look at the countries I have already been and I would love to go back to, Japan, at least once, because that was a country which really struck me for a number of reasons, I really loved it. Moreover, Bhutan, a small Kingdom which is a heaven of Buddhist culture, where people are extremely friendly. It’s a very beautiful and peaceful place. Among those that I have not visited, I hope I will have a chance to see more in Asia. For instance, I have never done a very significant trip to China and this is one of the places where I would love to go.

Eurasia Diary: Actually, asking this question to Italian is a great sin. What about football? Which football club do you support?

Giampaolo Cutillo:  I was born and brought up in Napoli, in a time when Diego Maraddona was playing there. It means I am a strong supporter of Napoli, not that strong as I used to be as a kid, but still I am happy when the Napoli team wins. Of course, football is a game and we should not take it too seriously. There are many strong teams in Italy, now Juventus is probably the best. I try to see the football as something which inspires youth with sports values. Unfortunately, it is not always like that but this is my concept of sport and football. Juventus has just opened a football academy in Baku for the young kids and I am sure it will be very successful.

Eurasia Diary: At the end, it would be interesting to hear your message of the readers of Eurasia Dairy?

Giampaolo Cutillo: First of all I am very happy to be in this country and I really feel lucky to be Italian in this country.  This does not go to my credit but it goes to the credit of the people who in this country have such sympathy and respect and admiration for Italy. On the other side, my message is that our relation is really growing in a positive way.  I believe we will definitely do more and more because Italy considers Azerbaijan as a very important partner both for Italy and EU.

by : Ayaz Mirzayev