Aliyev's Busy Diplomacy in Dublin as Azerbaijan Expands Gas Supplies to Europe

Azerbaijan has announced it will increase and diversify its energy supplies to Europe. President Ilham Aliyev made the announcement on Thursday during the 9th European Political Community Summit in Dublin. Baku currently supplies gas to 10 European Union member states and intends to go beyond that, he said.

On the sidelines of the summit, Aliyev held talks with European Council President Antonio Costa. An Azerbaijani presidency statement said the two discussed long-term energy contracts 'in the context of continuing successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union in gas supplies,' while Costa declared that 'the resumption of negotiations on a new EU-Azerbaijan agreement is good news for our citizens.' The EU-Azerbaijan Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy was established in 2022.

Commenting on the meeting, Costa emphasized the two-way benefits of EU-Azerbaijan cooperation, declaring that 'this has been an important year for EU-Azerbaijan relations.' Noting that peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia is now a reality, he added that the EU is also investing to ensure that people across the region benefit.

Aliyev said Azerbaijan had increased its gas supplies to the European Union from 8 billion cubic meters to 13 billion cubic meters, which accounts for nearly half of Azerbaijan's exports, and that with the discovery of new fields, the South Caucasus country plans to increase gas supplies further.

He added that the gas pipeline stretching from Baku to Italy, passing through the territories of seven countries and supplying 10 European Union member states via interconnectors in Bulgaria, was currently operating at full capacity, and that Baku intends to continue expanding its capacity.

The cooperation is now also focusing on renewable energy, a strategic national objective for Azerbaijan. Aliyev highlighted the agreement reached between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Bulgaria on exporting renewable energy to the European markets.

Costa and Aliyev also said the European Union's assessment of the Nakhchivan railway project would be completed soon, and they discussed transport links and connectivity within the global Middle Corridor project connecting Asia to Europe through the South Caucasus and Central Asia towards the Black Sea — a fast-developing alternative for global supply lines amid the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Costa invited Aliyev to Brussels to continue the discussions, given the South Caucasus country's role in Europe's energy supply and security.

Aliyev and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham also signed a Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom. With the UK being the largest European investor in Azerbaijan's economy, historically driven by BP's Caspian operations, the new strategic framework focuses on defence and security cooperation, expanding trade and investment, renewable energy, infrastructure, artificial intelligence and advanced technology. British officials said relations have now reached a historic milestone. With Russia watching on, the two sides agreed to strengthening cooperation in defence and security in support of regional peace and stability, and to support the development of the Middle Corridor alongside transport, logistics and infrastructure projects.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a 'detailed discussion' with Aliyev during the summit, focusing on emergency support for Ukraine's battered energy grid ahead of the harsh winter and post-conflict reconstruction strategies. Zelenskyy confirmed that contracts were signed under the so-called 'Drone Deal,' an ongoing bilateral drone agreement, saying 'we are working to scale up orders' and that 'relations between our countries are developing.' Officials confirmed an ongoing 1.35 million euro emergency grid support package from Baku, comprising heavy electrical equipment and generators. Total Azerbaijani humanitarian aid to Ukraine has now reached 48 million euros, focusing on civilian energy infrastructure and medical rehabilitation. Zelenskyy also noted that Kyiv is closely analysing Azerbaijan's post-conflict reconstruction across Karabakh and the East Zangezur regions as a viable blueprint for its own eventual post-war recovery.

Building on their historic peace process, Aliyev also held new talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on advancing peace consolidation, border delimitations, water cooperation and interconnection of electricity grids, as well as more confidence-building measures. The two leaders also discussed the progress of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) connectivity project, including the planning of its railway and highway components. Since November 2025, a total of 105,000 tonnes of cargo have been transported to Armenia through the territory of Azerbaijan.

Aliyev also met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for talks on upgrading the Southern Gas Corridor's infrastructure, anchored by the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP); Moldovan President Maia Sandu on energy cooperation and strengthening Moldova's energy security; and Romanian President Nicusor Dan on linking the Caspian and the Black Sea. Dan said in a post on X that 'we focused on deepening our Strategic Partnership, advancing key energy and connectivity projects, and pursuing an ambitious shared political and economic agenda.' Aliyev also held energy talks with Bulgaria's Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis.