Italy-Azerbaijan relations continue to strengthen, Ambassador Di Gianfrancesco says

Italy and Azerbaijan's bilateral relations are experiencing sustained growth, driven by shared interests in enhancing cooperation across various sectors.

In an interview with Agenzia Nova, Italy’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Luca Di Gianfrancesco, who has been in Baku for just over a year, highlighted the growing demand for Italian services and products across multiple fields, including tourism, Caliber.Az reports.

"Over 13,500 visas were issued to Azerbaijanis in 2024, more than double the number issued in 2023," Di Gianfrancesco said, noting the increased interest in Italy. "This is a significant capital of esteem and appreciation, which the embassy, along with various actors within Italy’s presence in Azerbaijan, is working to develop and strengthen daily."

The ambassador attributed much of the growth to the intensification of political visits over the past year. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Baku to attend the COP29 summit, which was warmly received by Azerbaijani authorities. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani met with Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov at the UN General Assembly in New York last September, reaffirming Italy’s support for ongoing peace efforts between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

A high level of bilateral engagement continued with key Italian ministers visiting Baku during COP29, including Gilberto Pichetto Fratin (Minister for the Environment and Energy Security), Giuseppe Valditara (Minister for Education), and Orazio Schillaci (Minister of Health). Defence Minister Guido Crosetto also made two visits this year to participate in the Adex defence industry exhibition.

On the Azerbaijani side, President Ilham Aliyev visited Italy for the Cernobbio Forum and met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Meloni. Di Gianfrancesco noted that this marked the fourth meeting between the two heads of state in the past six years, demonstrating the strength of the relationship at the highest levels.

The ambassador pointed out that Azerbaijan’s economy is undergoing diversification efforts, creating opportunities for deeper economic collaboration. "Italy remains Azerbaijan’s largest trading partner and the leading importer of its oil and gas," he said. "Our aim now is to deepen and diversify this relationship, exploring sectors beyond the energy industry."

The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has strengthened energy ties between the two countries, with Azerbaijan becoming Italy’s second-largest gas supplier after the pipeline’s inauguration in 2020. Di Gianfrancesco further emphasized that there are opportunities for greater cooperation in renewables, as Azerbaijan looks to invest in green energy solutions, aligning with commitments made during COP29.

Azerbaijan is also keen to diversify its economy beyond hydrocarbons, and Italy can play a role in this process. "In 2024, our bilateral trade reached €8.7 billion, with Italy absorbing more than 38% of Azerbaijan’s exports. Despite its relatively small population, Azerbaijan is the largest market in the South Caucasus, with a strategic location and political stability that make it a key regional hub," he explained.

The ambassador highlighted significant opportunities in infrastructure, agriculture, defence, and communications. Examples include the return of Eni to Azerbaijan after a 30-year absence, and a memorandum of understanding between Tim and the Azerbaijani Agency for Innovation and Digital Development.

Di Gianfrancesco also discussed the potential sale of the former Ilva steelworks to Baku Steel Company and the Azerbaijan Investment Company. "This could represent the largest-ever Azerbaijani investment in Italy and Europe," he noted, underscoring the strategic potential of such investments in diversifying Azerbaijan’s economy.

COP29, held in Baku last November, was a landmark event for Azerbaijan, despite some controversy surrounding boycotts. "The COP29 was one of the most important events Azerbaijan has ever hosted, with over 76,000 participants and 80 heads of state and government. It was a significant success for Azerbaijan in terms of both organisation and diplomacy," said Di Gianfrancesco.

Italy played a prominent role in the European negotiating delegation, and the Italian Pavilion at COP29 hosted 47 events. Italian companies also secured new agreements with Azerbaijani counterparts, particularly in the renewable energy sector, contributing to Azerbaijan’s efforts to diversify its energy supply.

Di Gianfrancesco also pointed to Italy’s ongoing cultural engagement, including the Italian Design Day held at Baku’s ADA University, and upcoming initiatives like the promotion of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and a significant exhibition celebrating Naples’ 2500th anniversary. "We are also working to deepen ties through cultural exchanges, such as the Italian Cuisine Week and the Italian Sports Day," he added.

Finally, the ambassador emphasised the importance of academic cooperation. "The Italo-Azerbaijani University, established in 2020, is a key initiative aimed at fostering innovation and sharing knowledge," he said, adding that the university’s new campus is expected to open in the 2025-2026 academic year. Additionally, Italian language and culture courses are being taught at local universities, further strengthening ties between the two nations.

"We are committed to continuing to invest in these initiatives, fostering deeper connections between our peoples and contributing to Azerbaijan’s development across multiple sectors," concluded Di Gianfrancesco.

By Aghakazim Guliyev