Azerbaijan, Greece strengthen energy ties [PHOTOS]

Azerbaijan and Greece have discussed expanding cooperation in
energy, transport, trade, investment and emerging technologies
during the sixth meeting of the Joint Commission on economic,
industrial and technological cooperation in Athens.

The meeting was co-chaired by Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister
Parviz Shahbazov and Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Theoharis
Theoharis.

The participants highlighted the contribution of a meeting
between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Greek Prime Minister
Kyriakos Mitsotakis in New York last September, as well as
political consultations held in Athens in May, to the development
of bilateral relations.

The growing role of Azerbaijan in Europe’s energy security, the
development of the Middle Corridor, and new energy and transport
links were described as creating further opportunities for
expanding cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting noted that bilateral trade increased by 27.6 percent
in 2025 and by 25.35 percent in the first half of this year. The
sides discussed increasing mutual investments, promoting direct
links between the private sectors and encouraging joint
projects.

In this regard, the importance of the Azerbaijan-Greece Business
Forum held on the sidelines of the meeting was emphasized.

The discussions covered cooperation in trade, business and
investment, industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, energy,
transport and logistics, agriculture, digital technologies, the
environment and customs.

In the energy sector, the strategic role of the Southern Gas
Corridor and the Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector in strengthening
Europe’s energy security and diversifying gas supplies was
highlighted.

Azerbaijan exported 1.1 billion cubic meters of natural gas to
Greece in 2025 and approximately 700 million cubic meters in the
first eight months of this year.

Since the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) became operational, a
total of 6 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas has been
delivered to Greece, while 61.4 billion cubic meters has been
supplied to European countries.

Azerbaijan also provided information on projects aimed at
developing its renewable energy potential and establishing green
energy links between the Caspian region and Europe. Given Greece’s
role in the energy system of Southeastern Europe, the sides
stressed the importance of expanding cooperation in green energy,
electricity infrastructure and regional connectivity, energy
efficiency and hydrogen.

In transport and logistics, the meeting noted that transit cargo
transportation between the two countries increased by around 90
percent last year.

Against the backdrop of the Middle Corridor’s growing
importance, the sides exchanged views on developing connectivity
between the South Caucasus, Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean,
expanding port and maritime cooperation, and establishing direct
air links.

The parties also emphasized the importance of encouraging Greek
companies to make greater use of investment opportunities in
Azerbaijan, including those offered by the Alat Free Economic
Zone.