Azerbaijan praises energy ties with Greece, eyes stronger EU gas exports

Azerbaijan has expressed a positive assessment of its high-level political dialogue with Greece, Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov stated during an official reception in Baku marking Greece’s National Day.

Mammadov highlighted energy cooperation as a key pillar of economic ties between the two nations, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

"Our cooperation within the framework of the Southern Gas Corridor and the Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector is of exceptional importance for diversifying Europe’s energy routes and supply sources," he said.

"Under the Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Partnership in the energy sector, signed between the EU and Azerbaijan in Baku in 2022, there is a plan to increase Azerbaijan’s natural gas exports to Europe to at least 20 billion cubic metres per year by 2027," he noted.

Mammadov also underscored the mutual interest in expanding trade, economic, and tourism relations between Azerbaijan and Greece, including cooperation beyond the energy sector.

"One of the key aspects of Azerbaijan-Greece relations is cooperation in the humanitarian field. Exchanges in culture, science, and education play an important role in fostering people-to-people contacts. In our country, those interested in the Greek language have access to Greek language and culture centres, including within state universities," he said.

To recall, ​Azerbaijan and Greece have established a robust energy partnership, primarily through the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), a segment of the Southern Gas Corridor.

Since commencing operations on December 31, 2020, TAP has transported over 3.6 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani natural gas to Greece, accounting for more than 10% of the 36.8 bcm delivered to Europe during this period. In 2023, Azerbaijani gas fulfilled approximately 18% of Greece's gas demand.

By the end of 2024, Azerbaijan aims to export an additional 1.2 bcm to Greece. This collaboration enhances regional energy security and diversification.

By Aghakazim Guliyev