Azerbaijan has become one of key partners in Europe's energy security - OPINION

The 31st Caspian Oil and Gas International Exhibition, the 14th Caspian International Power and Green Energy Exhibition, and the 31st Baku Energy Forum are being held as part of Baku Energy Week. These events are of great importance in terms of showcasing Azerbaijan's achievements in the energy sector, establishing new partnerships and expanding global energy cooperation.

Azer Badamov, a member of the Milli Majlis, told Report.

"Global interest in Baku Energy Week is growing year by year," he said, adding that 276 companies from 46 countries are taking part in the event.

The MP stressed that about 60% of these companies are foreign companies.

"At the same time, the fact that a significant share of the companies participating in the exhibition are new participants shows the growing interest of international business circles in Azerbaijan's energy sector.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, President Ilham Aliyev spoke about the history of the International Oil and Gas Exhibition, its role in the development of the country"s economy and the main directions of Azerbaijan"s energy policy. In his speech, the President provided detailed information not only on achievements in the oil and gas sector, but also on projects implemented in the field of green energy and strategic goals ahead," he said.

According to the MP, the development of green energy today is not only an environmental issue, but also one of the key factors of economic security, energy sustainability and national competitiveness.

"Azerbaijan is also taking important steps in this direction," he stressed.

Badamov said work is continuing on the project to lay a green energy cable to Europe along the bottom of the Black Sea, the formation of new energy routes through Georgia, Türkiye and Bulgaria, as well as the creation of green energy corridors through the Zangazur Corridor.

"The liberated Karabakh and East Zangazur economic regions have been declared the country"s green energy zone. Large-scale projects are being implemented in these areas to realize their renewable energy potential. At present, more than 360 MW of hydropower capacity has been restored in the liberated territories, while work is underway to restore and commission hydropower plants with an additional capacity of around 300 MW.

In addition, new projects are being implemented in cooperation with international energy companies. Work is continuing with BP on the construction of solar and wind power plants in Jabrayil and Zangilan districts. As a result, green energy to be produced in Karabakh and East Zangazur will not only strengthen the region"s energy supply, but also serve to increase export potential," he said.

The MP highlighted the importance of the Zangazur Corridor in this context.

"The Zangazur Corridor to be built will serve as a new and strategic branch of the East-West transport corridor," Badamov said, noting that the corridor will be used not only for cargo transportation, but also for energy, green energy and digital communication lines.

This will further expand Azerbaijan"s transit and logistics capabilities and increase the country"s regional and global importance. According to the MP, one of the main successes of Azerbaijan"s energy policy is that, as a country without direct access to the world ocean, it has formed a successful model of diplomatic and economic cooperation to deliver its energy resources to international markets.

"It is precisely as a result of reliable relations established with neighboring and partner countries that Azerbaijan has managed to bring its oil and gas to world markets and, at the same time, become one of the important partners in Europe"s energy security.

In this regard, the documents signed and agreements reached in Washington on August 8, 2025, are also of special importance. These agreements serve to strengthen the political and economic basis for the implementation of the Zangazur Corridor and further increase the strategic importance of the project. Thus, the Zangazur Corridor gains the potential to become not only a regional route, but also one of the main transport and energy routes in the Eurasian space.

Thus, Azerbaijan is becoming an important geostrategic center where international transport, energy and communication corridors between Asia and Europe intersect," he said.