Azerbaijan is moving to boost and diversify its energy deliveries to European markets beyond the ten European Union member states it currently supplies, President Ilham Aliyev announced during the 9th European Political Community (EPC) Summit held in Dublin. The South Caucasus country has already expanded its gas exports to the EU from 8 billion cubic meters to 13 billion cubic meters—representing nearly half of its total exports—and intends to increase volumes further as new fields come online.
During talks with European Council President Antonio Costa, Aliyev discussed long-term energy arrangements following the EU-Azerbaijan Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy established in 2022. Costa described the resumption of negotiations on a new EU-Azerbaijan agreement as good news for citizens, noting that it has been an important year for bilateral relations. Costa added that with peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia now a reality, the EU is investing to ensure people across the region benefit. Costa also extended an invitation for Aliyev to visit Brussels to continue dialogues on energy security and regional ties.
Azerbaijan's current gas transport network includes a main pipeline stretching from Baku to Italy across seven countries, supplying ten EU nations through interconnectors in Bulgaria. The pipeline is operating at full capacity, and Baku plans to expand its throughput. Parallel to fossil fuels, Baku is prioritizing renewable energy as a national objective, backed by a regional agreement with Georgia, Turkey, and Bulgaria to export clean power to European markets.
Beyond energy, discussions between Costa and Aliyev focused on trade connectivity through the Middle Corridor, an expanding transport route linking Asia to Europe through Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and the Black Sea as an alternative during the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Both leaders confirmed that an EU assessment of the Nakhchivan railway project will be finalized shortly.
In a major diplomatic outcome at the summit, Aliyev and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham signed a Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom. The UK remains the largest European investor in the Azerbaijani economy, historically centered around BP's Caspian operations. The new strategic accord establishes cooperation in defence and security, trade, private-sector investment, green energy, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and advanced technologies. British officials characterized the agreement as a historic milestone, with both nations committing to strengthening defence cooperation to support regional peace and stability in response to evolving security threats, while also backing Middle Corridor infrastructure projects.
Aliyev also held a detailed bilateral session with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding emergency support for Ukraine's energy grid ahead of winter and post-conflict recovery plans. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for a €1.35 million emergency package from Baku that includes generators and heavy electrical equipment. Total Azerbaijani humanitarian assistance to Ukraine has reached €48 million, focusing on civilian energy infrastructure and medical rehabilitation. Zelenskyy noted that Kyiv is examining Baku's infrastructure overhaul in Karabakh and East Zangezur as a potential blueprint for Ukraine's own post-war reconstruction, while praising companies that continue operating in Ukraine despite Russian attacks.
The summit provided a backdrop for further consolidation of the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Aliyev met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to discuss border delimitations, water resource management, electrical grid interconnections, and confidence-building measures. The two leaders reviewed progress on the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) connectivity project, including planning for its railway and highway components. Officials noted that 105,000 tonnes of cargo have been transported to Armenia through Azerbaijani territory since November 2025.
Aliyev conducted additional bilateral talks with several European heads of government. Discussions with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis focused on upgrading Southern Gas Corridor infrastructure via the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). In a meeting with Moldovan President Maia Sandu, discussions centered on Moldova's energy security, trade ties, and agricultural cooperation. Meeting Romanian President Nicusor Dan for the first time, Aliyev discussed Caspian-to-Black Sea energy and logistics corridors. Dan later stated on X that the two nations focused on deepening their Strategic Partnership and advancing shared economic goals. Aliyev also held energy-focused talks with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis.
