The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, met today with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov. The agenda of the talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations, reinforced by President Mattarella’s visit to Baku on 29–30 September, as well as on key regional and international issues.
The two Ministers agreed to enhance the commercial and industrial partnership between their countries, identifying priority sectors such as energy—particularly renewables—as well as infrastructure and connectivity, with opportunities to be explored along the “Middle Corridor” linking Asia and Europe. Minister Tajani proposed organising business forums in Rome and Baku at the earliest opportunity for companies from both countries and encouraged the participation of the Salone del Mobile in Baku in the spring as a first signal of renewed economic engagement across all sectors of Italian exports.
He also expressed hopes for closer cooperation in the defence sector, noting the strong interest shown by Italian defence companies in Azerbaijan, and highlighted the significant contribution of Italian firms to the modernisation of major Azerbaijani energy infrastructures. Minister Tajani thanked his counterpart for Baku’s key role in ensuring Italy’s and Europe’s energy security through the Southern Gas Corridor and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline. Azerbaijan remains a strategic economic partner for Italy, with Italian exports having risen by over 20% in the past year, and bilateral trade reaching nearly EUR 10 billion in 2024.
The Ministers also discussed the ongoing process of normalising relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, culminating in the August summit in Washington—an outcome Italy welcomed as a milestone for peace in the region. Minister Tajani expressed hope for the swift signing of the peace treaty, a process that Italy has consistently supported while maintaining a balanced stance. In this context, he also recalled Italian funds allocated to strengthen the capacity of the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency.
The discussions extended to the Middle East and the latest developments towards peace in Ukraine, in light of the Geneva negotiations, with both Ministers emphasising the importance of upholding territorial integrity and sovereignty. Italy and Azerbaijan are both committed to providing humanitarian assistance to Kyiv, supporting reconstruction efforts, and backing the country’s energy sector. Minister Tajani stressed the urgent need to focus aid on energy and the protection of Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, damaged by Russian attacks, to allow the civilian population to prepare for winter and prevent a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation.
