Italy and Azerbaijan can strengthen their strategic partnership along the axis connecting the Caucasus and the Mediterranean, with a focus on energy, investment, infrastructure, and tools to support internationalization. This was the message that emerged from the event “From the Caucasus to the Mediterranean”, organized by the Italian-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce, which brought together institutional, diplomatic, and financial representatives from the two countries.

Pietro Infante, head of the internationalization office at Unioncamere, opened the event, noting that “Italy and Azerbaijan are central to their geographical positions”. “We have a strategic partnership and strong relations with Azerbaijan,” and “Italy represents Azerbaijan's primary export market,” he added, thanking the Italian-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce for its work in promoting industrial and cooperation projects.

Manuela Traldi, President of the Italian-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce, spoke next, speaking of “a new phase in which the interaction between the two countries, beyond the absolutely fundamental commercial aspects, is taking on the characteristics of a truly strategic partnership”. Traldi recalled the “Business Forum” in February 2020, on the occasion of the Azerbaijani President's first state visit to Italy, when “numerous agreements were signed” and “a multi-dimensional strategic partnership” was formalized. In recent years, she emphasized, Italy and Azerbaijan have become “increasingly closer partners,” and Baku aims to interact “not only as a seller of energy products or a buyer of Italian mechanical products, but as partners, as stakeholders in the Italian economy”. According to Traldi, “very concrete signs of a change, a slight improvement in relations,” are already visible, with a growing “bidirectionality of the relationship and investments”.

The strategic value of the bilateral relationship was reiterated by Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Italy, Rashad Aslanov. “Why did we choose Italy as a final destination in Europe? Because Italy, from the first day of our relationship, has developed a sincere and fair agenda with Azerbaijan,” he stated. The Ambassador noted that Azerbaijan is Italy’s primary partner for oil supplies and its second-largest for gas, adding that “since January, Italy has become not only a recipient of natural gas from Azerbaijan, but also exports part of the new flows through Germany and Austria”. Aslanov also emphasized that “Azerbaijan's investment in Italy already amounts to almost €5 billion,” citing the role of the sovereign wealth fund SOFAZ in infrastructure and renewable energy, and described Eni's return to Azerbaijan after twenty years as “very significant”.

On the institutional level, Senator Marco Scurria, president of the Italy-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Friendship Group, emphasized that “for some years now, a country system has existed that makes itself available to those wishing to travel abroad”. In the past, he observed, Italy’s limitation was “not being a systemic force,” while today institutions, Chambers of Commerce, SACE, and SIMEST operate in a coordinated manner. “Politics should not interfere in business matters but ensure a peaceful and calm path,” he added, highlighting the good relations with the Azerbaijani Parliament. Scurria called Azerbaijan “an extraordinary country” and noted that “it's not just a relationship between gas supplies,” but a broader cooperation that fits into a context of the growing centrality of the Caucasus and new strategic directions between India, the Mediterranean, and Europe.

Regarding financial instruments, Paola Valerio, head of institutional relations at SACE, noted that “SACE has €100 million in exposure in Azerbaijan,” focusing on the energy, agribusiness, and machinery sectors, but also offering opportunities in renewables, chemicals, and petrochemicals. “We have developed strategic partnerships with Azerbaijan that “serves as a hub for all Central Asian countries,” she explained.

Finally, Francesca Alicata, director of external relations at Simest, clarified that “the only instrument” that “necessarily requires direct export is that related to the ecological and digital transition,” while “the other instruments – trade fairs and events, consultancy, certifications, feasibility studies, and the opening of commercial facilities – do not require the company to have direct exports.” Alicata noted that “we are also working with consulting firms in Azerbaijan to better explain how the financing and available measures work”.

A shared vision emerged from the event: the relationship between Italy and Azerbaijan is solidifying as a multidimensional strategic partnership, embedded in an evolving geopolitical framework, with the Caucasus increasingly a crucial hub between Europe, Central Asia, and the Mediterranean.