Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 7
Trend:
A country’s every step to facilitate the obtaining of visas by citizens of other states is already a big progress to improve the tourist exchange, said Lithuanian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Valdas Lastauskas in his interview with Trend.
Azerbaijan's simplification of visa procedures for foreign citizens, starting from January 2017 is definitely a positive step, which will definitely have a positive impact on the development of tourism in the country, noted Lastauskas.
The ambassador said that the Azerbaijani government’s decision on simplification of visa procedures for foreigners will lead to increase in tourist traffic between Azerbaijan and Lithuania, and the two countries’ diplomatic missions in Baku and Vilnius will do everything possible for that.
Lithuanian tourists will be interested to come to Azerbaijan, get acquainted with the sights of Baku and regions, taste national dishes, enjoy the hospitality of the Azerbaijani people and feel comfortable here, said the ambassador.
“As you know, Lithuania is located on the shores of the Baltic Sea, where, as we joke, it is cold 10 months a year and high rainfall,” noted the diplomat, adding that there is a beautiful nature in Lithuania.
Azerbaijan, with its favorable weather, sun, warm sea, beaches, beautiful nature, forests, lakes, mountains will attract more and more tourists from Lithuania, added Lastauskas.
The diplomat believes that Lithuanian tourists, fans of winter holidays, will surely be attracted by one of the best ski resorts in the region – Shahdag Mountain Resort, which will be one of the essential tourism destinations in Azerbaijan.
Many Lithuanian tourists, who, in recent years, are expanding the geography of their traveling further, and have visited and loved it here in Azerbaijan, he said.
“I think that over time, the number of those wishing to visit your beautiful country will increase,” added the Lithuanian ambassador.
“My first acquaintance with the Azerbaijani national cuisine took place many years ago. It happened not in Azerbaijan but in a completely different country, in an Azerbaijani restaurant where I tried Sheki piti (a soup made with mutton and vegetables) for the first time. The taste is excellent. For me, personally, the Sheki piti is the basis of the national cuisine. Of course, the list of my favorite dishes of Azerbaijani cuisine expanded after my arrival in Azerbaijan,” the diplomat said.
“The list includes such dishes as Baku dushbara (small dumplings filled with lamb, served in broth), Lankarani levengi (a casserole of chicken or fish stuffed with walnuts and herbs), Shamkir tomatoes, sweets – Guba baklava, shakarbura, etc. But piti is still the best. At times, I do cook it myself at home.”
“My friends and acquaintances in Lithuania already know the taste of the Azerbaijani tea and baklava, which I always bring them as a gift when I go home. But my main finding is Mulberry oghi (fruit vodka) – a traditional drink of the people in the Azerbaijani Western regions, and liqueur made of walnuts, which is prepared only in Nakhchivan,” he said. “These two drinks, having many healing powers, can deservedly become Azerbaijan’s national brand and be exported to other countries, in Lithuania as well.”
“I would be very happy if restaurants of Azerbaijani cuisine are opened in Lithuania, I would like to see more Lithuanians become acquainted with this rich and varied cuisine. Unfortunately, there are no such restaurants in our country yet," Lastauskas said.
"Of course, the South Caucasian cuisine is presented in Lithuania, it is more of a mixed cuisine, but I would like to see a separate Azerbaijani restaurant. I hope that Azerbaijani entrepreneurs will fill the void and make the Lithuanians happy with delicious dishes of your cuisine,” the envoy said.
