BAKU – Azerbaijan is set to export 9.6 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas to Italy in 2024, sustaining its role as a major gas supplier to the European country, as revealed in recent bilateral talks.

According to Trend News Agency, the announcement came during a meeting in Brazil between Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov and Italian Minister of Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin. This meeting underscored the continuing energy relationship between Azerbaijan and Italy, which has significantly relied on Azerbaijani gas since December 2020 through the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP).

In 2023, Italy received 9.988 bcm of Azerbaijani gas, reflecting a slight decrease expected for this year. Shahbazov highlighted the ongoing expansion of energy ties, particularly pointing to the collaborative efforts between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and Italian energy company Eni S.P.A.

The discussions also touched on strategic developments such as increasing the throughput capacity of TAP and the potential involvement of Italian companies in Azerbaijan’s green energy projects. Additionally, Shahbazov extended an invitation to Minister Pichetto Fratin to attend the Energy Day at the upcoming COP29 event in Baku this November, signaling a deepening of cooperative efforts on environmental and energy issues between the two nations.