The Italian market holds primary importance for Azerbaijan in terms of both oil and gas exports, President Ilham Aliyev stated during a joint press conference with the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, Giorgia Meloni. Highlighting the scale of energy cooperation, the head of state noted that out of the 25 billion cubic meters of natural gas exported by Azerbaijan last year, 9.5 billion cubic meters were delivered specifically to the Italian market.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the ongoing discussions regarding the expansion of these export volumes. “To achieve this, it is necessary to expand the TAP (Trans Adriatic Pipeline) project, which is an integral part of the Southern Gas Corridor. Some expansion has already taken place, but this process is continuing,” the President added.
Italy remains Azerbaijan's largest trading partner globally, driven largely by the energy sector. The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which transports Azerbaijani gas from the Caspian Sea to Europe, reached its full capacity in 2020 and has since become a vital component of Europe's energy security strategy. The strategic partnership between Baku and Rome extends beyond energy, encompassing infrastructure, defense, and cultural exchange, solidified by the Joint Declaration on Strengthening Strategic Partnership signed between the two nations.
