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Italy and Azerbaijan have agreed to strengthen cooperation in energy and defence, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Monday during an official visit to Baku.
The move comes as European countries continue efforts to reduce dependence on Russian oil and gas following the Ukraine war, while recent tensions involving Iran have showcased the vulnerabilities in global energy supply routes.
Meloni noted that Azerbaijani oil and gas had played a critical role in supporting Italy’s energy security since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, adding that both countries are now looking to increase supply volumes.
She said the partnership would be elevated into a more structured and continuous political coordination framework.
Data from last year shows Azerbaijan supplied about 9.5 billion cubic metres of gas to Italy through the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, accounting for roughly 16 per cent of Italy’s total gas imports.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev described Italy as the country’s leading trading partner and a major destination for its energy exports, noting that discussions also focused on expanding deliveries.
He indicated that scaling up supply would require the expansion of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, which forms part of the broader Southern Gas Corridor.
“To do this, it is necessary to expand the Trans Adriatic Pipeline project, which is part of the Southern Gas Corridor,” Aliyev said.
Beyond energy, both leaders also explored deeper collaboration in defence and security, with Meloni identifying the sector as another important area of growing partnership.
