Italy remains Azerbaijan’s top trading partner, President Aliyev says during Meloni visit

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has reaffirmed the strength of economic ties with Italy, describing it as Azerbaijan’s leading trading partner during a joint press statement with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

“Our political relations are at the highest level. At the same time, our trade relations are also in excellent condition,” said President Ilham Aliyev, as reported by Azertag.

The head of state noted that Italy is Azerbaijan’s number one trading partner, underlining the strategic nature of bilateral relations.

"Our countries are strategic partners," Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said during a joint press statement with Giorgia Meloni, President of the Council of Ministers of Italy.

"Your presence in Azerbaijan today once again signifies the profound substance of Azerbaijan-Italy relations," the head of state emphasized.

Highlighting the importance of energy cooperation, President Aliyev stressed the central role of the Italian market in Azerbaijan’s exports.

"For us, the Italian market is of primary importance for both oil and gas. Last year, Azerbaijan exported 25 billion cubic meters of natural gas, of which 9.5 billion were exported to the Italian market," President Aliyev stressed.

Stating that discussions are underway today to increase this volume, the head of state noted: “For this, naturally, it is necessary to expand the TAP project, which is an integral part of the Southern Gas Corridor. It has already been expanded to a certain degree, but this process is ongoing.”

The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), a key segment of the Southern Gas Corridor delivering Caspian gas to Europe, remains central to future expansion plans.

President Aliyev also highlighted growing Italian involvement in reconstruction efforts in Azerbaijan’s recently liberated territories.

“Italian companies have implemented and are currently implementing 23 projects in the liberated territories of Garabagh and East Zangezur,” said Aliyev.

The head of state emphasized that, among companies from foreign countries, Italy once again holds a leading position in the implementation of these projects.

By Vugar Khalilov