President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the European Council António Costa delivered joint press statements in Baku following their meeting, focusing on energy cooperation, the peace process with Armenia, regional connectivity, and the evolving security situation in the region.
Opening the press statements, President Ilham Aliyev welcomed António Costa to Azerbaijan and emphasized the growing intensity of relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union.
According to the Azerbaijani leader, the EU has become Azerbaijan’s largest trading partner. In January this year, around 50 percent of Azerbaijan’s trade turnover was with the European Union, reflecting the deepening economic partnership between the sides.
Aliyev highlighted that energy cooperation remains a cornerstone of relations, especially since the signing of the Strategic Energy Partnership agreement with the European Commission in 2022. Azerbaijan has significantly expanded its gas exports to Europe.
“Today, ten EU member states receive Azerbaijani gas, and the total number of countries supplied by Azerbaijan has reached sixteen,” Aliyev said, noting that Europe now accounts for roughly half of Azerbaijan’s total gas exports.
The Azerbaijani president also announced plans to increase gas production, including the launch of output from a new field, which could add at least 10 billion cubic meters of gas annually within the next two to three years.
Alongside fossil energy supplies, Aliyev stressed the growing importance of renewable energy cooperation. Azerbaijan plans to develop 6–8 gigawatts of renewable capacity within five to six years, with a significant portion intended for export through future transmission projects and subsea energy cables connecting the region with Europe.
Aliyev also underlined the significance of the peace process with Armenia, describing it as a turning point for the region. He noted that Azerbaijan and Armenia initialed a peace agreement in August 2025, less than two years after the last military escalation in September 2023.
“For the first time since restoring independence in 1991, Azerbaijan has been living in peace for the past seven months,” Aliyev said.
He emphasized that the peace is not limited to formal agreements but is already reflected in practical steps. Azerbaijan has started supplying petroleum products to Armenia and removed restrictions on cargo transit from third countries to Armenia through Azerbaijani territory.
According to Aliyev, the new regional environment opens significant opportunities for expanding the Middle Corridor, a key transport route connecting Asia and Europe.
European Council President António Costa described Azerbaijan as a key strategic partner for the European Union and confirmed Brussels’ intention to further strengthen cooperation in areas including security, energy, digital development, and transport.
Costa highlighted Azerbaijan’s crucial role in helping the EU diversify its energy supplies following the European Council’s 2022 decision to reduce dependency on traditional sources.
“Azerbaijan has been central to Europe’s diversification strategy thanks to the Southern Gas Corridor,” Costa said.
The European Council president also stressed that the Middle Corridor and new transport infrastructure projects could significantly enhance economic connectivity between Europe and Asia.
Costa welcomed the progress in the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, describing it as historic and expressing EU support for the implementation of the Washington agreements.
“The progress made in the peace process with Armenia is historic. The European Union stands with you in supporting their full implementation,” he said.
Addressing the broader regional situation, Costa expressed solidarity with Azerbaijan amid rising tensions in the region and condemned the recent Iranian drone attack on Nakhchivan Airport, calling it unacceptable and emphasizing the need to preserve regional stability.
“The European Union condemns in the strongest terms the recent attack on Nakhchivan Airport,” Costa said, stressing the importance of respecting international law and preventing further escalation.
Costa also confirmed that the EU looks forward to Azerbaijan hosting the 2028 summit of the European Political Community, underscoring Baku’s growing diplomatic role in Europe’s broader political architecture.
Both leaders concluded by reaffirming their commitment to expanding the Azerbaijan–EU strategic partnership, focusing on energy security, economic cooperation, and long-term regional stability.
