EU considers cooperation with Azerbaijan in renewable energy, interconnectors a strategic priority

BAKU. June 2 (Interfax) - Cooperation with Azerbaijan in the field of renewable energy and interconnectors is extremely important for the EU, said Cristina Lobillo Borrero, the head of the Energy Security and International Relations Unit of the Directorate-General for Energy of the European Commission.

The current crisis in the Middle East has once again brought energy security issues to the forefront of the global agenda, Lobillo Borrero said during Baku Energy Week. In Europe, it is determined less by supply shortages than by price volatility, she said.

The text of her speech is published on the website of the Azerbaijani president.

The European Union remains fully committed to its goal of decarbonisation by 2050, she said. While proceeding along this path, it still depends today on fossil fuels and is a net importer of gas and oil. It is affected by both price fluctuations and supply chain vulnerabilities, she said.

In this context, reliable partnerships are of great importance, she said. Azerbaijan plays a crucial role as an energy partner and as part of the European Union's broader connectivity agenda. For the European Union, when it comes to energy security, diversification has become a strategic priority, she said. Azerbaijan and the Caspian region have made a significant contribution to these efforts, including through the Southern Gas Corridor, which has helped strengthen the resilience of energy supplies to Europe, she said.

Lobillo Borrero noted that the European Union has increased its imports of natural gas from Azerbaijan more than 40% since 2021. In January this year, the capacity of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline was expanded for the first time by 1.2 billion cubic metres, which will allow for additional gas supplies to the European Union in 2026, she said.

Strong partnerships are measured not only by supply levels, she said. They are also measured by reliability of supply, high operational standards, efficient use of resources, transparent frameworks and environmental performance, including methane emissions reduction, she said. Thus, cooperation with Azerbaijan is also extremely important in the field of renewable energy and interconnectors. The EU is closely following the planned Caspian-Black Sea-Europe green energy corridor, which is part of a broader discussion on future connectivity between the Caspian region, the South Caucasus and Europe, she said. Looking ahead, it should be noted that the strongest energy partnerships will be those that combine reliability today with readiness for tomorrow, she said. This means commercially viable infrastructure, predictable investment conditions, sustainable supply chains and technologies that ensure both energy security and energy transition, she said.

Lobillo Borrero added that the EU is committed to continuing cooperation with Azerbaijan openly and pragmatically, on the basis of mutual benefit and a shared commitment to secure, affordable and increasingly sustainable energy.