Astana: Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov conducted a series of high-level meetings with notable officials during the Kazakhstan Energy Week in Astana. His engagements included discussions with Kazakhstan’s Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev, Energy Minister Erlan Akkenzhenov, and Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), as reported by Trend via the country’s Energy Ministry.

According to Trend News Agency, during Shahbazov’s meeting with Nurlan Sauranbayev, who co-chairs the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Intergovernmental Commission, both parties expressed satisfaction with the evolving relations between the two nations. These relations are characterized by brotherhood, friendship, and strategic partnership, transitioning towards an alliance. In the first half of the year, bilateral trade turnover saw a significant increase, rising 4.2 times to reach $500 million. The role of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission in fostering trade and economic cooperation was highlighted. Discussions also covered preparations for the commission’s 21st meeting, scheduled for October in Baku, alongside promising projects and opportunities to enhance transport links and cargo traffic through the Middle Corridor and the Zangezur Corridor. The continuation of the Comprehensive Program for the Development of Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan was also on the agenda.

In a separate meeting with Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister, Erlan Akkenzhenov, Shahbazov addressed current cooperation efforts in the energy sector. Since the beginning of 2023, 3,383 tons of Kazakh oil have been transported via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. Discussions included increasing the transit of Kazakh oil through Azerbaijan and potential collaborations between SOCAR and KazMunayGas on joint projects. An assessment of the Central Asia-Azerbaijan Green Energy Corridor project was also provided. A consulting firm for the project’s feasibility study is expected to be chosen in November. Minister Akkenzhenov affirmed Kazakhstan’s support for this critical initiative.

Further, Minister Shahbazov’s meeting with Francesco La Camera from IRENA focused on cooperation within the IRENA Council and the transition to green energy. Azerbaijan’s significant regional projects were evaluated in line with IRENA’s initiatives, with support expressed for advancing renewable energy development.