Azerbaijan, EU reaffirm energy, connectivity cooperation in Tirana meeting President Aliyev at EPC summit / UPDATED

On May 16, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev held a meeting in Tirana with President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen described Azerbaijan as an important and reliable partner of the European Union, emphasising their high appreciation for the support Azerbaijan provided, especially at a time when Europe faced energy shortages, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Azerbaijan’s relations with the Central Asian region and its leading role in the Middle Corridor were highlighted. At the same time, it was noted with satisfaction that Azerbaijan plays a platform role in facilitating dialogue between various parties to ensure peace and stability in the region and beyond.

President Ilham Aliyev underlined the importance Azerbaijan attaches to its relations with the European Union, highlighting the country’s role in Europe’s energy security. The head of state stated that there is great potential for expanding cooperation with the European Union in the energy sector, noting Azerbaijan’s contribution to the energy supply of 10 European countries, including 8 EU member states.

Touching on Azerbaijan’s important role in the Middle Corridor, President Ilham Aliyev pointed to the investments made in transport infrastructure and the work carried out in this direction, aimed at developing the corridor. He also noted an increase in the volume of cargo transported via the Middle Corridor.

The discussion also covered the strategic partnership agreement signed at the presidential level between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan on the transmission of Central Asia’s renewable energy resources via the Caspian Sea. The project to export renewable energy through an electric cable line along the Black Sea bed was also mentioned.

It was noted that there are broad opportunities for cooperation with the European Union in these areas.

The meeting also addressed the discussions held within the framework of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council, with both sides reaffirming the significant potential for further cooperation in this sphere.

Other issues of mutual interest were also discussed during the meeting.

12:22

On May 16, in Tirana, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev held a significant meeting with two leading European figures — António Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. 

This encounter was part of the broader agenda surrounding the sixth European Political Community (EPC) summit, held for the first time in Albania, and was officially announced on the Azerbaijani president’s website, per Caliber.Az.

The EPC summit in Tirana, themed “New Europe in a New World: Unity – Cooperation – Joint Action,” convenes 47 heads of state and government, symbolising a major platform for dialogue between EU and non-EU countries. Co-chaired by European Council President António Costa and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, the summit aims to address pressing challenges and opportunities facing Europe today.

The summit includes a plenary session focused on European security and a shared vision for the future, with the ongoing war in Ukraine expected to heavily influence discussions. Following this, leaders will engage in three roundtable sessions covering critical areas: security and democratic resilience, economic competitiveness and supply chains, and mobility and youth empowerment.

As one of the participants, President Ilham Aliyev’s engagement with Costa and von der Leyen underscores Azerbaijan’s role in the evolving geopolitical and economic landscape of the region. The EPC, which was launched in 2022 as an informal forum, continues to facilitate coordination on strategic priorities amid global shifts.

The summit will conclude with a joint press conference featuring Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who will host the next EPC meeting in Denmark. 

To be updated