EU energy commissioner: Azerbaijani gas crucial for Europe

Azerbaijani gas is increasingly vital for Europe as the continent continues to reduce its dependence on Russian energy, EU Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen said following high-level meetings in Brussels.

Jørgensen spoke after the 12th Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council and the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the Green Energy Advisory Council, highlighting the importance of Azerbaijan as a key energy partner. He emphasised that, with Europe gradually eliminating its reliance on Russian gas, Azerbaijani supplies are essential to ensuring energy security across the EU, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

The commissioner noted that in 2022, Europe imported nearly 45% of its gas from Russia, a dependence that has since fallen to around 10%. However, he stressed that even this remaining share is too high, and the EU has enacted a legal ban on Russian gas imports to completely free itself from Russian energy.

In this context, Jørgensen underlined that the gas Europe can obtain from Azerbaijan is extremely important and that cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan is highly valued.

He also announced that the EU and Azerbaijan have agreed to hold a high-level energy dialogue in Brussels later this year and expressed his anticipation for another visit to the country.

"Another area of our cooperation is renewable energy. I am impressed by Azerbaijan's potential, which you are already utilizing and will continue to develop in the coming years," Jørgensen added.

By Sabina Mammadli