EU energy official hails Azerbaijan as model of sustainable partnership

Azerbaijan stands out as a reliable partner both in gas supply and in the development of renewable energy sources, said Cristina Lobillo Borrero, Director of the Energy Platform Task Force and International Relations at the Directorate-General for Energy of the European Commission, during the 30th anniversary Baku Energy Forum.

Borrero emphasised that the European Union remains firmly committed to the energy transition, even though fossil fuels still account for more than 60% of the EU's energy mix, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

“However, last year, for the first time in history, renewables reached a 50% share in electricity generation. This is a landmark achievement, and we are working to strengthen it further. Today, perhaps more than ever, energy security has become the most important principle not only for the European Union but for all countries,” Borrero noted.

She stressed that under current conditions, energy security has taken on central importance:

“Today, energy security is increasingly shaped by geopolitical factors. That’s why international cooperation is a key element in achieving resilience. In this context, Azerbaijan holds a special place as a reliable partner.”

Borrero also mentioned that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen consistently highlights the need to boost domestic energy production within the EU.

“This is a strategic choice for the European Union. We already have a regulatory framework in place until 2030, and we are now working on long-term guidelines for 2040 and 2050 aimed at achieving climate neutrality,” she explained.

According to Borrero, it is also crucial to strengthen the competitiveness of European industry and ensure affordable energy for consumers along the way.

“This is a complex and long-term process, and under such circumstances, reliable partnerships take on particular importance. Azerbaijan is a vivid example of sustainable cooperation in both gas supply and renewable energy development. We are working very closely together in these areas,” she concluded.

By Tamilla Hasanova