President von der Leyen and Commissioner Simson travel to Azerbaijan to strengthen bilateral relations, including energy cooperation

On Monday 18 July, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson will be in Azerbaijan to further strengthen the existing cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan. Amid Russia's continued weaponisation of its energy supplies, diversification of our energy imports is a top priority for the EU. The Southern Gas Corridor has a central role to play in the EU's natural gas supply, in particular for South Eastern Europe. The EU and Azerbaijan are also working together to build a long term partnership on clean energy and energy efficiency, as both parties pursue their green transition and the objectives of the Paris Agreement. The EU and Azerbaijan are negotiating a new comprehensive agreement, which will allow for enhanced cooperation in a wide range of areas, including economic diversification, investment, trade and making full use of the potential of civil society. President von der Leyen and Commissioner Simson will hold a meeting with President Ilham Aliyev upon arrival. Following the meeting, President von der Leyen will hold a joint press point with President Aliyev that can be followed live on Ebs at around 14:30 CEST. Commissioner Simson will subsequently hold an EU-Azeri energy dialogue with the Azeri Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov.