BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 5. Leading international
media outlets have widely covered the meeting between Ilham Aliyev,
President of Azerbaijan, and Giorgia Meloni, President of the
Council of Ministers of Italy, and their joint statements delivered
in Baku, Trend
reports.
The Italian “RaiNews” TV channel noted that the enhancement of
the partnership between both leaders envisages not only increasing
natural gas and oil volumes but also aims to turn Italy into a
European energy center and Azerbaijan into an intercontinental hub
linking Europe and Asia.
The channel cites the Italian PM as saying: “Since the start of
Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine, the export of gas and oil
to Italy has played a decisive role in the energy security of the
country I honorably represent. We spoke clearly about strengthening
these ties. We must work not only on supply volumes but
particularly on the quality of industrial partnership across all
sectors. We know that energy and connectivity are two sides of the
same coin. We would like Azerbaijan to strengthen its role as a
fundamental hub between Europe and Asia. In this regard, Italy is
always ready to play the role of a privileged gateway to the
European market. It is clear that such a plan requires investments,
long-term programs, and the alignment of the most suitable
opportunities within the production and industrial systems of our
countries. For this reason, we have planned to organize a business
forum here in Baku in the second half of 2026 to turn our political
cooperation into concrete opportunities for our enterprises and
workers.”
The Agenzia Nova News Agency highlights President Ilham Aliyev’s
remarks on bilateral energy cooperation and the importance of
expanding the TAP project, describing it as an integral part of the
Southern Gas Corridor. “It has already been expanded to a certain
extent, but this process must continue,” the Azerbaijani President
said.
The Italian PM, in turn, noted that since the start of Russia’s
war against Ukraine, the export of gas and oil from Azerbaijan to
Italy has played a decisive role in the energy security of the
country.
A host of other Italian publications, namely Secoli d’Italia,
ANSA, Agenzia CULT, Agenzia Vista, Domani, la Repubblica,
ItalPress, la Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno, Crema Oggi, Lecodelsud, il
NordEst, Messaggero, il Mattino, il Sole, la Sentinella, GDVNews,
La Provincia, Motori, Reggio, Trentino, and Stream24, also covered
the meeting, featuring both leaders’ remarks on bilateral
cooperation.
Additionally, the US’s Bloomberg and Energynewsbeat; Türkiye’s
Anadolu Agency, Haber Global, Haberler.com, Ekoturk, Orta Doğu
Gazetesi, and EpisHaber.com; Venezuela’s Confirmado; Pakistan’s The
Gulf Observer; Qatar’s QNA News Agency; and Iran’s yjc.ir also
published reports on Giorgia Meloni’s trip to Baku.
