Member of the Milli Majlis Konul Nurullayeva commented to EDnews, assessing the strategic importance of Azerbaijan–Italy relations.
The MP stated that the political and economic partnership formed between Baku and Rome in recent years is of particular importance in terms of regional security, energy cooperation, and relations with Europe.
In the context of Azerbaijan’s relations with Europe, its ties with Italy stand out due to their particular significance. In recent years, the model of cooperation formed between Baku and Rome has evolved into a strategic platform encompassing not only bilateral interests but also broader issues such as energy security and political stability across a wider region. In this regard, the visit of the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, to Azerbaijan is regarded as an important political event in the development of bilateral relations.
One of the notable aspects of the visit is its regional context. Meloni’s arrival in Baku immediately after attending the European Political Community summit held in Armenia demonstrates Italy’s priorities in the region and the importance it attaches to cooperation with Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan and Italy also maintain successful cooperation in the energy sector. In particular, Azerbaijani gas transported to Europe via the Trans Adriatic Pipeline—one of the key segments of the Southern Gas Corridor—plays a significant role in Italy’s energy security. This route carries not only economic but also geopolitical importance, becoming a strategic element in Europe’s energy diversification policy. The share of Azerbaijani gas in the Italian market continues to grow.
Economic cooperation is not limited to energy. The involvement of Italian companies in projects across various regions of Azerbaijan, especially in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, demonstrates the practical outcomes of this partnership. At the same time, cooperation in industry, infrastructure, and high technologies creates new investment opportunities.
Cooperation in the military and military-technical spheres is also among the noteworthy areas. The recent intensification of relations in this field, including growing interest in Italian technologies for the modernization of the Azerbaijani army, indicates that the partnership is expanding into a broader security dimension.
Humanitarian cooperation is another important component of bilateral relations. Projects implemented in education and culture, including joint initiatives with Italian universities, contribute to strengthening long-term ties between the two nations.
During the discussions held in Baku, Azerbaijan and Italy agreed to transform their cooperation through continuous political coordination. The parties plan to jointly define future priorities. President Ilham Aliyev also stated that “our friendship will continue with confidence in the future.”
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