Azerbaijan, US energy cooperation enters new phase of expansion

Azerbaijan and the United States are set to elevate their energy partnership to a new level, focusing on expanded investments and strategic collaboration across key sectors.

This was highlighted during a high-level meeting between Azerbaijani Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov and Brendan Hanrahan, the Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

We held productive discussions with Brendan Hanrahan (@StateEUR), Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs (EUR) of the U.S. Department of State on our #energy relations that have entered to a new phase. To continue the mission of #Azerbaijan as an… pic.twitter.com/2SkG2Lc6Qb

— Parviz Shahbazov (@ParvizShahbazov) September 10, 2025

“We held productive discussions with Brendan Hanrahan (State EUR), Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs (EUR) of the US Department of State on our energy relations that have entered to a new phase. To continue the mission of Azerbaijan as an energy supplier, we assessed priorities such as cooperation with the United States, regional links connected Azerbaijan with Türkiye, Europe and Central Asia in multiple directions, and expansion of investments in the energy sector,” Minister Shahbazov said in a post on his official X account

The discussions underscored the significance of the landmark Washington meeting on August 8 between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and US President Donald Trump, which marked a renewed commitment to strengthening bilateral and regional ties. Central to these talks were priority areas of cooperation, including the expansion of investments in Azerbaijan’s energy infrastructure and broader regional projects.

Participants reviewed the ongoing work of the Strategic Working Group tasked with developing a comprehensive Charter on Strategic Partnership between Azerbaijan and the United States, aimed at fostering long-term collaboration.

The meeting also reiterated Washington’s pivotal role in advancing energy security projects in Azerbaijan, emphasizing cooperation to ensure the stability and sustainability of energy supplies to European markets.

Key points of discussion included prospects for deepening collaboration with ExxonMobil, a longstanding partner in Azerbaijan’s oil and gas sector, particularly through new onshore ventures. Furthermore, expanding trade relations through SOCAR Trading in liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil, and petroleum products with American companies was addressed.

The parties also explored opportunities to diversify cooperation into hydrocarbons and renewable energy, with a focus on developing ‘green energy corridors’ that will connect Azerbaijan with Türkiye and Europe via Nakhchivan, Armenia, the Black Sea, and Georgia. Additionally, enhancing energy connectivity between Azerbaijan and Central Asia through the Caspian Sea was highlighted.

American companies and investors received invitations to participate in these promising projects, signaling Azerbaijan’s ambition to attract foreign investment and foster sustainable energy development.

By Vafa Guliyeva