BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 13. The 6th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Italy Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation took place today in Baku, Trend reports.
The meeting was focused on assessing the current status and exploring the future potential of bilateral cooperation between the two nations, spanning critical sectors such as energy, trade, industry, investment, and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Azerbaijan's co-chair of the commission, Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov, was leading the discussions, while Italy is represented by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli.
Speaking at the event Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov said that Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has supplied Europe with 54.3 billion cubic meters of gas and Italy with 45.4 billion cubic meters so far.
According to him, last year, Italy was supplied with 10.34 million tons of oil and a total of 9.5 billion cubic meters of gas through the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) alone.
"Additionally, the Italian company CESI SpA serves as a consulting partner for Azerbaijan in preparing feasibility studies for the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe and Central Asia-Azerbaijan green energy corridor projects. The Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green Energy Corridor, which is set to be commissioned in stages beginning in 2032, will enable Italy to benefit from electricity transmitted to the European market," the minister added.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy Edmondo Cirielli, in turn, noted that Italy, as a reliable partner, could become one of Azerbaijan's main routes to the Mediterranean basin and the market of 500 million consumers in the European Union (EU).
According to him, one of the main goals of the commission is to expand investment and business opportunities in both Italy and Azerbaijan:
"At the same time, both countries have a strategic approach to projects for the development of transport infrastructure and the further development of economic, cultural, and interpersonal ties. Italy, as a reliable partner, can become one of Azerbaijan's main routes to the Mediterranean basin and the market of 500 million consumers in the EU.''
A protocol on the results of the 6th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Italy Joint Intergovernmental Commission has been signed. The agreement was formally endorsed by Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, and Italy’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli.
The event participants also adopted an Action Plan, which provides for the implementation of 65 activities in 18 priority areas for 2026-2027.
