The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli, went on a mission to Baku together with the Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto, for talks with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov. On the mission agenda, ample space was devoted to the strategic partnership, to a discussion on the main regional issues and to trade-related topics.
Cirielli reiterated the excellent bilateral relations and the strong friendship that binds our countries, stressing the importance Italy attaches to the strategic partnership with Baku, which we want to continue to strengthen in every sector. The Deputy Minister also highlighted the strong interest in deepening business opportunities for Italian companies, particularly in the railway and green and sustainable mobility sectors.
During the talks, the strategic importance of bilateral cooperation in the energy field was also confirmed: Azerbaijan supplies Italy with 19% of oil and 16% of natural gas (via the TAP pipeline). In this context, Deputy Minister Cirielli confirmed that Italy aims to strengthen its role as an energy hub in Europe, for the security of our country and the EU. Cirielli also welcomed the COP29 Presidency, to be hosted in Baku, which confirms Azerbaijan’s commitment to combating climate change.
Finally, Deputy Minister Cirielli expressed satisfaction with the progress in the normalisation process of Azerbaijan’s relations with Armenia and recalled the recent contribution made by the Italian Cooperation to UNDP for a humanitarian demining project.
