Azerbaijan, Italy talk over cooperation in critical materials, AI

Azerbaijan and Italy have discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation in critical raw materials and artificial intelligence (AI).

According to local media, citing Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, the discussions took place during a phone call between Italian Minister Adolfo Urso and Azerbaijan’s Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov.

The sides discussed the state of bilateral economic and industrial cooperation and prospects for further developing ties, with particular attention to critical raw materials and the use of AI in industry and the economy.

The ministry said the aim was to make use of the expertise and capabilities of both countries.

The issues will be discussed in greater detail during Jabbarov’s upcoming visit to Italy, the ministry said.

Urso also thanked SOCAR, Azerbaijan’s state oil company, for introducing a price cap on fuel at IP petrol stations to support Italian households and businesses.

SOCAR followed a similar initiative initially introduced by Italian energy company Eni.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni previously thanked President Ilham Aliyev after SOCAR introduced price caps on petrol and diesel at the network of its subsidiary, Italiana Petroli (IP).

By Aghakazim Guliyev