Baku: The strategic importance of energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy has become increasingly clear in the wake of the recent Hormuz crisis. Elchin Amirbayov, the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, emphasized this point during an interview with Italy's Formiche.net portal, as reported by APA.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Amirbayov highlighted that during times of geopolitical instability, the critical factor is not only securing access to energy resources but also ensuring the reliability and security of supply routes. He noted that Azerbaijan has consistently demonstrated its role as a dependable partner for Italy. In 2025, Azerbaijan supplied Italy with 9.5 billion cubic meters of gas through the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which constituted approximately 16 percent of Italy's total gas imports. Since TAP's inception, over 42 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas have been delivered to Italy, underscoring TAP's status as both a commercial success and a strategic pillar of Italy's energy resilience.

Furthermore, Amirbayov pointed out that the partnership extends beyond bilateral relations. Azerbaijan has emerged as a key player in Europe's overall energy security. In 2025, Azerbaijan exported 12.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas to European Union member states, marking a 53.8 percent increase compared to 2021. This growth indicates that the Southern Gas Corridor has become a significant diversification route for Europe, enhancing its energy security and reducing dependency on a single energy source.