Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev received EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas on Friday.
Kaja Kallas noted that the EU highly values its relations with Azerbaijan and is interested in their further development.
Pointing to the very successful and fruitful co-operation between Brussels and Baku in the energy sector, the diplomat stated that Azerbaijan is a reliable partner in ensuring Europe’s energy security.
Speaking about transport links, Kaja Kallas drew attention to the role of Azerbaijan as a very important country in the region, located in an important geopolitical space.
Importance of stability in the South Caucasus
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan is a reliable partner of the EU and pointed to the important role of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), which has been operating for four years, in supplying gas to Europe.
The Azerbaijani head of state emphasised that Azerbaijani gas is already being supplied to ten European countries, including eight EU member states, meaning that Azerbaijan is one of the leading gas suppliers to Europe in terms of geographical coverage.
Recalling the successful dialogue between Azerbaijan and the EU within the framework of the SGC Consultative Council, Aliyev also pointed to the great opportunities for co-operation in the field of renewable energy, as Azerbaijan has rich wind energy resources in its sector of the Caspian Sea.
At the same time, the president noted that Azerbaijan and the countries of Central Asia play a significant role in the development of the Trans-Caspian renewable energy corridor, as well as in the implementation of projects in the Black Sea region. New participants, such as Georgia, Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria, have already joined them.
Aliyev noted that, in addition to gas, there are great opportunities for co-operation with the EU in the field of transport.
The parties also exchanged views on ensuring lasting stability in the South Caucasus region. The Azerbaijani head of state specified that Baku and Yerevan are taking steps and holding discussions on a bilateral basis to normalise bilateral relations.
