European Union and Azerbaijan Deepen Strategic Cooperation

Abstract

European Council President António Costa’s March 11 meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev highlighted Baku’s growing role in the European Union’s efforts to diversify energy supplies and expand European connectivity with the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan has increased natural gas exports to Europe since 2022 and now supplies 12 European countries with gas primarily via the Trans Adriatic Pipeline. Closer cooperation with Baku helps the European Union diversify energy supplies and reinforce stability across a region increasingly central to Europe’s security and economic interests. It helps Azerbaijan expand energy exports and connectivity projects.