In a significant development, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has revealed that the European Union is set to allocate up to €200 million in grants to Azerbaijan. This funding aims to bolster transport, energy, and digital infrastructure projects, potentially catalyzing up to €2 billion in public and private sector investments. The announcement was made during von der Leyen’s visit to Baku, where she engaged in discussions with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on enhancing energy cooperation, regional connectivity, and the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process.
During their meeting, von der Leyen proposed initiating a new EU-Azerbaijan connectivity partnership. The collaboration is expected to fortify ties between the EU and Azerbaijan, particularly in energy, as President Aliyev highlighted a substantial 65% increase in Azerbaijani gas exports to EU member states since their 2022 energy agreement. Currently, ten EU countries are importing gas from Azerbaijan, underscoring the strategic importance of this energy partnership.
In addition to infrastructure and energy talks, von der Leyen announced a €20 million support program specifically aimed at aiding border communities. This initiative will focus on critical areas such as healthcare, mine clearance, rural development, and providing assistance to small businesses, reflecting the EU’s comprehensive approach to regional development and peace-building efforts.
Von der Leyen’s visit to Azerbaijan is part of a broader tour of the South Caucasus, with plans to continue discussions in Armenia. Her visit underscores the EU’s commitment to strengthening ties and fostering stability and development in the region, reflecting the strategic importance the EU places on its relationships in this area.
