Baku: Azerbaijan's role during the energy crisis is of particular importance to Europe's energy security, said Chairman of the Board at VNG AG Ulf Heitmuller during the session titled 'Gas Markets: Infrastructure, Strategy and Geopolitics' at the Baku Energy Forum, APA-Economics reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the importance of reliable energy partners has increased further under the current geopolitical circumstances, and Azerbaijan plays a significant role in this regard. Ulf Heitmuller expressed gratitude for Azerbaijan's contributions during this period, emphasizing the country's major role in ensuring the security of supply amid the ongoing energy crisis. He noted that reliable partners have become increasingly scarce under current conditions.

Heitmuller also pointed out that while volatility in energy markets makes long-term investments more challenging, cooperation with Azerbaijan and SOCAR remains strategically significant. He asserted that the demand for natural gas in the German market is expected to persist in the coming decades, highlighting the necessity of diversifying both supply sources and sales markets.

Heitmuller further emphasized that diversification does not contradict strategic partnerships; rather, it enhances the importance of long-term cooperation in a volatile and uncertain environment. He concluded by stressing that establishing long-term and reliable partnerships between producers and consumers is essential to increasing the resilience of the energy market.