Ukraine ready to become major energy hub for Azerbaijan in Europe, FM Sybiha says

Ukraine is ready to become a major energy hub for Azerbaijan in Europe, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Facebook regarding the results of his visit to Baku, Report informs.

"Like the European Union, we see Azerbaijan as a key contributor to Europe's energy security, and we stand ready to contribute to this with our expertise in transit and Europe's largest gas storage facilities," Sybiha wrote.

The foreign minister emphasized that Azerbaijan is an extremely important partner in strengthening Ukraine's sustainable development, primarily in the energy sector, as well as in achieving a just and lasting peace.

"I spoke about all this in detail at every meeting. First of all, with the of the Republic of Azerbaijan and a friend of Ukraine, Ilham Aliyev. I expressed my personal gratitude to him for his principled position on respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. Also, for Azerbaijan's humanitarian and energy support in the early days of the large-scale occupation and during the most difficult winter seasons, for shelter for Ukrainians, for the recovery of our children, and for the restoration of Irpen," he said.

According to Sybiha, Azerbaijan is a strategic partner and now is the time to give a new impetus to this partnership, especially at the highest political level. The top diplomat recalled that Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev also agreed on this in Davos.

According to the minister, during the meetings with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov, they discussed the entire agenda of bilateral relations, with special attention to trade, investment and energy.

"We have recently agreed to work on holding a Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation," the Ukrainian foreign minister said.

In addition, the parties discussed in detail the activities of Azerbaijani businesses in Ukraine and increasing investments. According to Sybiha, despite the Russian occupation, Ukraine is an attractive market and a reliable partner: "We will support and protect Azerbaijani investments in the Ukrainian economy."

Separately, Sybiha informed Azerbaijani ministers about the negotiation process with the EU and the prospects of Ukraine’s membership in the European Union for Azerbaijani investments and businesses.

The parties also discussed the participation of the Azerbaijani delegation in the conference on the restoration of Ukraine to be held in Rome on July 10-11.