Von der Leyen in Baku: EU Strengthens Ties with Azerbaijan on Energy and Peace

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen began a two-day visit to the South Caucasus on Tuesday, with her first stop in Baku, Azerbaijan. The visit underscores the European Union's growing strategic interest in the region as it seeks to bolster energy security, transport links, and regional stability.

Following talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, von der Leyen highlighted Azerbaijan's role as a reliable energy partner. "In recent years, Azerbaijan has proven to be a reliable, trusted energy partner to the European Union. We have not forgotten that at a time when Russia weaponized energy in terms of gas for Europe, Azerbaijan stepped up. The Southern Gas Corridor indeed strengthened Europe's energy security," she said at a joint press conference.

Von der Leyen welcomed progress in the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, calling it a historic agreement that could open the door to broader regional cooperation. She announced that Brussels would propose an EU-Azerbaijan Connectivity Partnership covering transport, energy, and digital infrastructure. The EU's Global Gateway initiative will provide up to €200 million in grants for projects across the South Caucasus, potentially mobilizing up to €2 billion in public and private investments. Additionally, a €20 million programme will support peace-building initiatives, including demining, healthcare, rural development, and small and medium-sized enterprises.

President Aliyev described relations with the European Commission as entering an "unprecedented active phase," noting that half of Azerbaijan's gas exports now go to EU member states. Both leaders identified transport connectivity as a central pillar of future cooperation, with Aliyev pointing to Azerbaijan's role in developing east-west and north-south corridors. The visit comes as the EU continues to diversify energy supplies and develop alternative trade routes following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

On the same day, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, and Home Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner held talks in Ankara with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, focusing on regional security, migration, and trade. Von der Leyen is scheduled to continue her regional tour in Armenia, where discussions will center on peace and connectivity.