Azerbaijan, US move to deepen energy partnership in Washington talks

Azerbaijan and the United States have discussed ways to expand and deepen bilateral energy cooperation during a series of high-level meetings in Washington.

According to the Energy Ministry's post on Facebook, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov continued his official engagements in the US capital, holding talks with US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the US Commercial Service David L. Fogel, and Jarrod Agen, Executive Director of the White House National Energy Dominance Council.

The discussions focused on elevating energy cooperation between the two countries to a qualitatively new level. The sides positively assessed the long-standing role of the United States as a reliable partner in Azerbaijan’s energy sector and its consistent support for major infrastructure projects that contribute to energy security both in the region and in Europe.

Particular attention was paid to the strategic significance of the meeting between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and US President Donald Trump held in Washington on August 8, which was described as a key milestone that advanced bilateral energy cooperation to a new stage.

In this context, it was emphasised that the Azerbaijan–US Strategic Partnership Charter and the TRIPP initiative — the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity — have given new impetus to bilateral and regional cooperation in the energy sector.

In line with priorities aimed at increasing investment in energy and expanding infrastructure to strengthen regional connectivity, the talks covered potential cooperation in the oil and gas industry, electricity export and transit routes, the TRIPP project, and other interconnection initiatives.

The ministry also reported that the sides discussed expanding cooperation with ExxonMobil, a participant in the development of the Azeri–Chirag–Gunashli field, as well as the multifaceted activities of SOCAR Trading in Houston. Views were exchanged on possible partnerships with US companies across various fields, including technology and data centers, the establishment of a mechanism for regular dialogue in the energy sector, and the preparation of a comprehensive roadmap for bilateral energy cooperation.

By Tamilla Hasanova