Slovak energy minister signals push for long-term gas ties with Azerbaijan

Slovakia plans to purchase around 1.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year from Azerbaijan starting from 2027, while seeking long-term gas cooperation with Baku, Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Saková said following talks with the Azerbaijani side in Shusha.

According to Saková, Azerbaijan is offering five- and ten-year gas supply contracts to several European Union (EU) countries.

She noted that Slovakia currently consumes about half of the gas it produces domestically, while exporting the remaining volume. However, Baku requires long-term agreements to make investments aimed at expanding production capacity.

"We are talking about the supply of approximately 1.2 billion cubic meters of gas per year from Azerbaijan after 2027, during the period when we will no longer import gas from Russia," the minister said.

Saková added that further discussions will be held tomorrow, July 15, in Baku with the leadership of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), with representatives of Slovakia’s SPP gas company also taking part.

The Slovak minister stressed that Bratislava is interested in long-term cooperation with Azerbaijan and is ready to provide its technologies and expertise to support joint projects.

During the visit, the Azerbaijani side also presented the Slovak delegation with an energy corridor project designed to facilitate the transit of electricity from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan to Europe through Türkiye. According to Saková, the initiative has significant potential for the European energy market.

By Jeyhun Aghazada