SOCAR head: Azerbaijan reinforcing its role in Europe’s gas supply

Rovshan Najaf, president of SOCAR — Azerbaijan’s state oil company — participated in the US–Azerbaijan Trade and Business Conference held in Washington, D.C..

According to information released by SOCAR and reported by Caliber.Az, the conference focused on the development of the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and the United States, including the expansion of economic cooperation and the strengthening of bilateral trade ties.

Speaking at a session titled “Strengthening Bilateral Trade and Strategic Cooperation,” Najaf said that more than three decades of successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and the US in the energy sector has made a significant contribution to the development of Azerbaijan’s energy industry.

According to him, American companies were among the first international partners involved in Azerbaijan’s major oil and gas projects, with the foundation of this cooperation laid through the signing of the historic Contract of the Century.

“Productive cooperation between SOCAR and American companies in recent years has expanded in various areas of the energy sector, including exploration and production, engineering, digital technologies and sustainable development initiatives. In conditions of growing demand for data centres due to the widespread use of artificial intelligence in business, this issue is also in focus,” Najaf said.

The SOCAR president also emphasised Azerbaijan’s role in supplying energy to Europe, noting that the country ensures reliable deliveries of natural gas to the continent through the Southern Gas Corridor.

According to Najaf, Azerbaijan has further strengthened its position as a regional energy hub and an important gateway to the Caspian region thanks to its strategic geographical location, developed infrastructure and many years of successful international cooperation.

Addressing the importance of regional connectivity for economic cooperation and long-term stability in the South Caucasus, Najaf also pointed to the opportunities created by the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) initiative, which he said could support the development of trade and strengthen regional integration.

The conference also featured a number of panel discussions focused on cooperation opportunities in the energy, technology and financial sectors.

During one of the sessions titled “Development of Energy Infrastructure and Capital Inflows into the Energy Sector of the Future,” Afghan Isayev, vice president of SOCAR, took part as a speaker.

By Tamilla Hasanova