Baku: On May 4, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic Giorgia Meloni delivered press statements, APA reports.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, President Aliyev highlighted the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Italy, emphasizing the significance of the two nations' relationship. He noted that two strategic partnership declarations were signed in 2014 and 2020, forming the foundation of their bilateral relations. Aliyev underscored the importance of Italy as Azerbaijan's primary trading partner, with a trade turnover of approximately 12 billion dollars last year. He also pointed to the longstanding energy sector partnership, with Azerbaijan being a leading supplier of oil and gas to Italy.
Aliyev expressed the desire to expand the cooperation further, particularly through the TAP project as part of the Southern Gas Corridor. Discussions also covered military-technical cooperation and joint projects combining Italian technology with Azerbaijani financial resources. Aliyev praised the involvement of Italian companies in Azerbaijan, particularly in the liberated territories of Garabagh and East Zangezur, and highlighted the establishment of the Italy-Azerbaijan University in Baku as a significant step in educational collaboration.
Following Aliyev's statement, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome and productive dialogue in Baku. Meloni noted the importance of her visit, marking the first official visit of an Italian Prime Minister to Azerbaijan in 13 years. She emphasized the qualitative leap in relations between the two countries, highlighting the need for permanent political coordination to address the complex international landscape.
Meloni acknowledged the critical role of energy cooperation, particularly since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and stressed the importance of strengthening industrial partnerships. She announced plans for a business forum in Baku in 2026 to enhance political cooperation and create opportunities for enterprises and workers.
The Italian Prime Minister also highlighted defense and security cooperation, proposing a model of knowledge exchange and joint development. She emphasized the deep-rooted friendship between the two nations, fostered by cultural connections and collaborations in education.
Meloni addressed international issues, including the crisis involving Iran and the need for stability in the region. She expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for supporting Italian citizens during evacuations and for facilitating the temporary relocation of the Italian embassy from Tehran to Baku.
In her closing remarks, Meloni reiterated the importance of strengthening dialogue between Azerbaijan and the European Union, particularly in energy and transportation sectors. She reaffirmed Italy's support for normalization efforts with Armenia and peace initiatives in Ukraine, emphasizing the enduring partnership between Italy and Azerbaijan.