On 13 January 2026, ahead of the session of the Intergovernmental Commission, a bilateral meeting took place between the co-chairs of the Commission: Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov and Italy’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Edmondo Cirielli. During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction with the successful development of Azerbaijan-Italy strategic partnership, covering a wide spectrum from energy to industrial production. Discussions focused on strengthening high-level political and economic ties through new projects, energy security, partnership with the European Union, and priority areas of bilateral cooperation.

Minister Parviz Shahbazov, speaking at the session, noted that mutual visits by heads of state and meetings during international events, including Azerbaijan President’s meetings with the Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the 2020 Joint Declaration on Strengthening Multi-Dimensional Strategic Partnership, and the signing of 27 documents, have elevated bilateral relations to a new qualitative level.

He highlighted that last year’s Italian Presidential visit to Azerbaijan, the opening of the Italy-Azerbaijan University, the largest electricity plant built with the contribution of “Ansaldo Energia”, and investment activities of the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan and SOCAR in Italy demonstrate that cooperation is not limited to existing projects but is evolving according to a strategic future-oriented agenda. “As President Ilham Aliyev emphasized, Azerbaijan-Italy relations are successfully developing, and we are genuine strategic partners,” - the Minister added.

It was noted that Italy is Azerbaijan’s largest trade partner, accounting for 25% of foreign trade turnover and 46.7% of exports. Investments so far amount to $342 million from Azerbaijan to Italy and $805 million from Italy to Azerbaijan, with the State Oil Fund’s investment portfolio in Italy valued at $2.8 billion. To increase these figures, both sides emphasized the importance of joint projects and an agreement on investment promotion and mutual protection.

Additionally, last year Italy was supplied with 10.34 million tons of oil and 9.5 billion cubic meters of gas via SOCAR. The TAP project has supplied 54.3 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe and 45.4 billion cubic meters to Italy. Italy’s CESI SpA is also a consulting partner for the technical and economic feasibility studies of the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe and Central Asia-Azerbaijan Green Energy Corridor projects. From 2032, the phased launch of the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green Energy Corridor will allow Italy to benefit from electricity exported to the European markets.

Deputy Minister Edmondo Cirielli said: “One of the Commission’s main objectives is to expand investment and business opportunities in both Italy and Azerbaijan. Both countries maintain a strategic approach to connectivity projects, economic, cultural, and people-to-people relations. Italy can serve as a key gateway for Azerbaijan to the Mediterranean and a European market of 500 million consumers”.

During the discussions, the Commission reviewed current issues related to the development of cooperation in political, trade-economic, industrial, energy, transport, ICT, healthcare, science, culture, and other fields. The widespread presence of “Made in Italy” products, delivery of C-27J Spartan military transport aircraft, 334 AZAL flights to Milan, and the fact that 89.5% of Italian visitors come to Azerbaijan for tourism were cited as indicators of comprehensive bilateral cooperation.

It was also noted that projects implemented in Italy under the patronage of Azerbaijan’s First Vice President and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva, contribute to the expansion of cultural-humanitarian cooperation.

The 6th session of the Azerbaijan-Italy Intergovernmental Commission concluded with the signing of a Protocol and adoption of an Action Plan providing for the implementation of 65 events across 18 priority areas in 2026-2027.