Azerbaijan's natural gas exports to European Union member states have risen by nearly 65% since the two sides signed an energy partnership four years ago, President Ilham Aliyev said after talks with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. The leaders also signalled a shift toward renewable energy in the next phase of the partnership.
Azerbaijan's natural gas exports to the European Union have climbed by nearly 65% since Baku and Brussels signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership in energy, President Ilham Aliyev said. He made the remarks after talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her delegation.
The EU leans on Baku for gas
The two sides signed the energy memorandum during von der Leyen's visit to Azerbaijan four years ago, Aliyev noted, and exports have grown steadily since. The talks covered a broad bilateral agenda, with trade and energy at the centre.
Aliyev said the European Union is Azerbaijan's largest trading partner, accounting for more than 40% of the country's total trade. Azerbaijan, in turn, is the bloc's principal partner in the South Caucasus, representing more than 70% of EU trade with the region.
Von der Leyen points to renewables next
Von der Leyen described energy as one of the strongest pillars of the partnership and credited Azerbaijan with helping shore up European supply after Russia cut gas to the continent. She said the Southern Gas Corridor has strengthened Europe's energy security, calling it "a remarkable success story."
The next phase will lean toward renewables. Von der Leyen pointed to Azerbaijan's plans to develop offshore wind in the Caspian Sea, arguing the country could become a regional hub for clean electricity and expand cooperation on electricity interconnections and regional networks.
Source: News.az
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