Baku: The Republic of Azerbaijan is one of the key partners for the European Union, stated President of the European Council Ant³nio Costa during a press statement with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, APA reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the past year has seen a revitalization of relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union. The meeting between the two leaders served as an indication of their shared commitment to enhance cooperation in various fields. Plans are underway to expand collaboration in security, energy, and digital development, and to fully utilize existing dialogue mechanisms in areas like security and human rights. There is ongoing work on a new framework to foster closer cooperation between the EU and other countries, signaling a shared vision for the future.

Emphasizing the importance of energy security, Ant³nio Costa noted that it is a crucial aspect of the bilateral cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan. He recalled the European Council's decision made a few years ago in Versailles to diversify the sources of gas, oil, and coal supplies, highlighting Azerbaijan's central role in these efforts. The dialogue also included discussions to explore ways to deepen cooperation in defense and security, reflecting the strategic importance of the partnership.