Aliyev and Mattarella Highlight Energy, Education, and EU Ties in Joint Statements
Baku, The Gulf Observer: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella delivered press statements on September 30, reaffirming the depth of bilateral relations and highlighting ongoing cooperation across energy, industry, culture, and education.
President Aliyev, welcoming his counterpart on his second official visit to Azerbaijan, described the trip as a clear demonstration of the strength of the Azerbaijani-Italian strategic partnership. He noted that since the signing of the Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership five years ago, ties had expanded into multiple sectors, with Italy now serving as Azerbaijan’s largest trading partner.
The Azerbaijani leader emphasized the success of energy cooperation, recalling Mattarella’s role in overcoming challenges during the implementation of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), through which Azerbaijani gas has been exported to Italy since 2020. He added that Azerbaijani oil and gas now account for a leading share of Italy’s energy balance. Aliyev also pointed to ongoing discussions with the European Union on electricity exports, including projects involving transmission from Central Asia across the Caspian Sea to Europe.
He further underlined the growing role of cultural and educational exchanges, noting that the new Italy-Azerbaijan University in Baku, to be inaugurated on October 1, represents a “friendship project” that will allow hundreds of students to serve as future ambassadors of bilateral ties.
For his part, President Mattarella expressed gratitude for the invitation and hospitality extended by Azerbaijan, describing relations between the two countries as characterized by deep friendship, mutual understanding, and expanding cooperation. He recalled his visit to Baku seven years earlier and emphasized the symbolic importance of jointly inaugurating both industrial and educational projects during his trips.
Mattarella stressed that bilateral relations now extend well beyond energy and industry to culture, education, and humanitarian cooperation, reflecting the effective implementation of strategic agreements signed over the past decade. He highlighted the role of the Italy-Azerbaijan University as a platform for academic collaboration and youth exchange.
The Italian President also reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Azerbaijan’s partnership with the European Union, calling Azerbaijan an influential partner in regional and international affairs. He underscored Italy’s determination to help broaden and deepen EU-Azerbaijan relations in the years ahead.
Both leaders affirmed that the friendship and cooperation between Italy and Azerbaijan serve not only their two nations but also regional stability and European energy security.
