European Commission president hails Azerbaijan's role in regional peace

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has praised Azerbaijan's role in advancing regional peace and announced plans to deepen cooperation with Baku through a new EU–Azerbaijan Connectivity Partnership, describing the country as uniquely positioned to promote stability and regional integration, Azertag reports.

Speaking during joint press statements with President Ilham Aliyev, von der Leyen first highlighted what she described as the region's most significant recent achievement.

"But first, let me also turn to the most important development in this region in decades, and that is peace. I want to congratulate you for initiating an historic peace agreement with Armenia,” she said.

"You showed personal leadership in promoting peace and cooperation across the region, and it is creating new opportunities for stability, trust, and shared prosperity,” she noted.

Von der Leyen stressed that lasting peace should be reinforced through stronger regional links and economic cooperation.

"Together, we can turn peace on paper into peace in practice. That is why we are working here today together,” she added.

"This brings me to my first announcement of today. We want to foster peace through connectivity,” the European Commission president emphasized.

She further said Azerbaijan is well positioned to play a leading role in strengthening regional cooperation.

"Few countries are as well placed as yours to drive regional cooperation and stability," von der Leyen explained.

In her view, "Azerbaijan tactfully combines its strategic geography with its growing economic, political, and regional influence."

She added that this is the reason for proposing to launch an EU–Azerbaijan Connectivity Partnership.

According to her, "Azerbaijan tactfully combines its strategic geography with its growing economic, political, and regional influence."

She said this is the reason for proposing to launch an EU–Azerbaijan Connectivity Partnership.

Turning to energy cooperation, von der Leyen described the sector as one of the foundations of EU–Azerbaijan relations.

"Energy remains one of the strongest pillars of our partnership,” she noted.

She said: "In recent years, Azerbaijan has proven to be a reliable trusted energy partner for Europe."

The European Commission president also highlighted Azerbaijan's ambitions in renewable energy, particularly offshore wind development in the Caspian Sea.

"Azerbaijan is investing in the energy of the future," von der Leyen emphasised.

"Such as your plans to develop offshore wind energy in the Caspian Sea. You have both the ambition and the potential to become a hub for clean electricity,” she added.

Von der Leyen also emphasised the importance of strengthening economic ties between the European Union and Azerbaijan through a broader cooperation framework.

"The EU is already Azerbaijan's largest trading partner and biggest investor. Now we want to build on that,” she said.

"The resumption of discussions on a new comprehensive agreement is an important step. This can open the road for even more trade between Azerbaijan and the European Union, and we will work together to make progress happen,” she added.