Gas supplies from U.S., Azerbaijan could cover 40% of Czech Republic's needs - minister
BAKU 28 (Interfax) - The Czech Republic expects to cover up to 40% of its gas demand through supplies from the United States and Azerbaijan, Czech Industry and Trade Minister Karel Havlicek said on social media.
"A few weeks ago, we negotiated 1 billion cubic meters of gas in the U.S., and yesterday in Azerbaijan - a volume twice as large. This should cover up to 40% of gas consumption in the Czech Republic over three years. We are diversifying resources and fulfilling promises," Havlicek said.
He also said talks with Azerbaijan were aimed at strengthening the energy security of the Czech Republic and expanding opportunities for Czech businesses.
Havlicek said demand for Azerbaijani gas was currently strong on global and European markets and that in 2022, the European Commission signed a memorandum of cooperation with Baku with the goal of doubling gas supplies to the EU.
He said the Czech Republic was looking to sign a deal with Azerbaijan to buy up to 2 bcm of gas per year, with deliveries potentially beginning between 2028 and 2029.
"This means that in the current global situation, if we want a good result, we need to sign a contract for at least 10, and preferably 15, years. People are queuing up to buy Azerbaijani gas. Azerbaijan has included us in a kind of 'premium league' and really does see us as a partner with a capital 'P,' so there's a chance we'll secure the necessary supplies," Havlicek said.
He also said another business mission would visit Azerbaijan, possibly in late summer or early autumn.
The Czech Republic says it boosted gas consumption 6.5% to 7.2 bcm in 2025.
Azerbaijan exported 25.2 bcm of gas in 2025, as much as in 2024. Last year, Azerbaijani gas exports to Europe amounted to 12.8 bcm and to Turkey - 9.6 bcm.
Azerbaijan started to export gas to Europe on December 31, 2022.
Azerbaijan has contracts to supply gas to 16 countries, 13 of them in Europe, namely Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Slovakia, North Macedonia, Germany, Ukraine and Austria. The annual volume should gradually increase to 15 terawatt-hours (TWh), which is around 1.5 billion cubic meters, including long-term contracts with a fixed supply volume to Italy, Greece, and Bulgaria, and with Germany's Securing Energy for Europe GmbH (SEFE) for 10 years. Contracts without exact purchase volumes have been signed with the remaining countries.
Azerbaijan also exports gas to Turkey via the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) and South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP), and to Georgia via the SCP and Hajigabul-Gazakh pipeline.
Azerbaijan began exporting gas to Syria on August 2, 2025. At the initial stage, the supply volume is 3.4 million cubic meters per day with a subsequent increase to 6 mcm.
