Tajani: Meloni's Azerbaijan visit key to strengthening Rome-Baku ties - EXCLUSIVE

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Italy expects to further strengthen relations with Azerbaijan and views Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's planned visit to Baku in early May as a key step in advancing bilateral cooperation.

Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg, Tajani told Report that Azerbaijan is an important partner for Italy and that Rome intends to actively expand cooperation.

He said Italy is already working to broaden ties with Baku, including in the socio-economic sphere, and stressed that Azerbaijan is a friendly country and the Baku-Rome partnership should continue to develop.

Italy is one of Azerbaijan's key trade and economic partners in Europe, particularly in the energy sector, and is interested in diversifying energy supplies and strengthening ties with suppliers from the Caspian region.

Meloni's visit, scheduled for early May, is expected to focus on economic cooperation, energy and regional security.