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The Baku 2015 European Games opening ceremony was amazing, and Azerbaijan did a great job, Claudio D’Amico, the head of the Foreign Relations Office of the Italian party Lega Nord (North League), told Trend June 16.

D’Amico said that every time he comes in Baku he sees something better.

He said there is great development in Baku, adding that this is important for the Azerbaijani capital. D’Amico added that the number of the foreigners visiting Baku is increasing as well.

Commenting on the relations between Azerbaijan and Italy, D’Amico said the two countries have already great collaboration.

“Azerbaijan plays an important role in the energy security of Europe,” he said. “We mostly use the oil and gas from Azerbaijan.”

D’Amico further said the Italian companies working in oil and gas sector in Libya are currently in very difficult situation.

“We think that a country like Azerbaijan with great stability is important for us,” he added. “We need to be sure that we will have in the future our supplier for oil and gas, and Azerbaijan is very stable country with perfect political situation and can be a good partner for Italy for a long time.”

D’Amico believes that Azerbaijan and Italy can develop the collaboration not only in the field of oil and gas, but also in other fields.

“Maybe we can help in the development of industrial sector, and infrastructure,” said D’Amico, adding, “We are interested in what Azerbaijan can offer.”

According to Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee, in January-February 2015, the trade between Azerbaijan and Italy stood at $554.8 million.

Meanwhile, some $485.7 million accounted for the exports from Azerbaijan, and $69 million accounted for the imports.

The European Games that kicked off in Baku June 12, will last till June 28.

There is a total of 20 sports at Baku 2015: 16 Olympic sports and four non-Olympic sports.

More than 6,000 athletes from across Europe will be representing their nations over 17 days of competition.

Baku was awarded the games by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in December 2012.

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