Azerbaijan seen as de facto partner at Three Seas Initiative Summit

The role of Azerbaijan in strengthening Europe’s energy security was a key topic of discussion at the 10th Summit of the Three Seas Initiative held in Zagreb, where the country participated for the first time as a specially invited guest.

According to domestic media, the summit, organised by the Croatian Parliament, was held under the theme “Advancing the Three Seas Initiative: Vision for the Future, Responsibility, Partnership.”

The event opened with remarks by Gordan Jandroković, Andrej Plenković, and Szymon Hołownia. Discussions then proceeded on the summit’s agenda, with contributions from senior European and regional officials, including Dubravka Šuica, Ruslan Stefanchuk, and Numan Kurtulmuş. Heads of parliaments from participating countries also took part, alongside Azerbaijan’s delegation led by Deputy Speaker of the Milli Majlis, Rafael Huseynov.

Addressing the summit, Huseynov said Azerbaijan’s invitation was a logical step despite the country not being a formal member of the initiative. He noted that although Azerbaijan is not among the 13 participating states, six strategic partners, or four associated members, the depth and mutual importance of its economic ties with member countries effectively position it as part of the initiative.

Huseynov also outlined the broader efforts led by President Ilham Aliyev in advancing energy cooperation. He recalled Aliyev’s meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda on January 22, 2020, in Davos, where discussions focused on bilateral relations, oil and gas cooperation, and global geopolitical dynamics. The importance of Azerbaijan’s participation in the June 2020 Three Seas Initiative summit in Tallinn was also highlighted.

He further referenced an earlier meeting on February 4, 2016, in London, held during the “Supporting Syria and the Region” conference, where President Aliyev met with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović. During that meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction with bilateral ties and discussed expanding cooperation in energy, transport, and infrastructure projects.

According to Huseynov, Azerbaijan maintains close and consistent bilateral relations with each of the countries involved in the initiative. He emphasised that Azerbaijan is widely recognised as a reliable and stable gas supplier and plays a significant role in ensuring Europe’s energy security.

“Currently, sixteen countries receive Azerbaijani gas,” he said, listing Türkiye, Georgia, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, North Macedonia, Slovakia, Ukraine, Germany, Austria, and Syria—most of which are represented within the initiative.

He also highlighted the strategic importance of the Southern Gas Corridor, initiated by the European Commission, noting that it carries not only economic value but also major geopolitical significance by helping reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian gas. “Recent history clearly shows the pressure and negative consequences that economic dependence can bring,” he added.

Concluding his remarks, Huseynov stressed the importance of cooperation in a world facing multiple conflicts. He described the summit and similar initiatives as a message that partnership and mutual support remain the only viable path toward a stable and peaceful future.

The summit concluded with the adoption of a joint declaration.

By Tamilla Hasanova