BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 1. EU–Azerbaijan energy
cooperation is anchored in a shared interest in energy security,
diversification and reliable connectivity between Europe, the South
Caucasus and the wider Caspian region, Director of the Energy
Platform Task Force, Directorate-General for Energy at the European
Commission, Cristina Lobillo Borrero said in an exclusive interview
with Trend
ahead of the Baku Energy Week.


She pointed out that Azerbaijan has made an important
contribution to the EU’s diversification efforts, in particular
through the Southern Gas Corridor. In 2025, Azerbaijan supplied
11.3 bcm of natural gas via the Southern Gas Corridor to EU Member
States, added Borrero.


"At the same time, our partnership is no longer only about gas.
The EU-Azerbaijan strategic energy partnership also covers
renewable energy, energy efficiency, hydrogen, and
methane-emissions reduction. These areas are becoming more
important as Europe accelerates its energy transition and as
Azerbaijan develops its own clean-energy potential. For the next
phase, I see three priorities. First, maintaining reliable and
competitive energy supplies in line with market demand. Second,
ensuring that any new infrastructure is commercially sound,
future-oriented and compatible with Europe’s long-term energy
trajectory. Third, deepening cooperation on clean energy, methane
mitigation, electrification, grids and investment frameworks. This
is how we can combine security today with readiness for tomorrow,"
she said.


Borrero went on to add that the current situation in the Middle
East is a clear reminder that energy security remains exposed to
geopolitical shocks.


"Even where there is no immediate shortage, disruptions or risks
around critical routes can have a direct impact on prices, supply
chains and confidence in the market. The EU response has two main
dimensions. The first is immediate preparedness, on which we, the
Commission, is working closely with Member States, the
International Energy Agency (IEA) and energy companies. This allows
us to monitor developments, assess stocks and storage levels, and
prepare co-ordinated responses where needed. Recent discussions
have focused in particular on oil market developments and possible
regional constraints, including jet fuel, linked to the conflict in
the Middle East," she said.


Borrero pointed out that the second dimension is structural. "In
our AccelerateEU Communication, we set out measures to address
rising energy costs and volatile fossil-fuel markets, particularly
in light of the escalating Middle East conflict. The aim is to
protect consumers and businesses, strengthen coordination,
accelerate home-grown clean energy, upgrade grids and mobilise
investment. This also means working with reliable partners,
diversifying suppliers and routes, supporting more resilient
infrastructure, and accelerating the clean-energy transition. The
objective is not simply to replace one dependency with another. It
is to build a more diversified, flexible and resilient energy
system."


She noted that the Southern Gas Corridor remains an important
part of Europe’s diversification architecture.


"It has provided reliable gas supplies to the EU and has
contributed to reducing the EU’s dependence on Russian gas. Looking
ahead, gas imports from Azerbaijan through the Southern Gas
Corridor (SGC) will continue to play an important role, especially
in the context of geopolitical volatility and the EU’s objective to
fully phase out Russian energy imports. The EU remains a reliable
trade partner for Azerbaijani gas, and Azerbaijani supplies
contribute to strengthening security of supply during the current
Middle East crisis. On expansion, the key principle is that further
capacity increases should be market-based. The first level of TAP
expansion, adding 1.2 bcm per year, has already taken place.
Further expansions need to be justified by market prices, demand
and regular market tests. This is important both for commercial
credibility and for consistency with Europe’s evolving gas-demand
outlook.


There is political recognition of the SGC’s role in
diversification, but the EU can no longer fund fossil fuels
infrastructure from its budget. Therefore, any further expansion
should be underpinned by commercial investment and, where
appropriate, potential financing from international financial
institutions. The focus should be on infrastructure that
strengthens security of supply without creating new long-term
dependencies," Borrero explained.







She noted that Azerbaijan can play an important role in EU
energy transition.


"The EU’s climate objective is clear: climate neutrality by 2050
is a legally-binding target under the European Climate Law. At the
same time, the transition must be secure, orderly and affordable.
That means natural gas will continue to play a role during the
transition, particularly for security of supply, system flexibility
and certain industrial uses. The EU’s strategy is to reduce
fossil-fuel demand structurally through energy efficiency,
renewables, electrification, storage, grids and demand-side
flexibility. AccelerateEU reinforces this direction: reducing
exposure to volatile fossil-fuel markets is both a climate
objective and an energy-security imperative. Partner countries such
as Azerbaijan can play an important role in this transition period
in two ways. First, by remaining reliable suppliers where gas is
still needed, contributing to diversification and security of
supply. Second, by working with the EU on reducing the emissions
footprint of the energy sector," said Borrero.


She believes that methane mitigation is particularly
important.


"Azerbaijan has joined the Global Methane Pledge, and SOCAR
joined the Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 in 2024. This provides
a strong basis for practical cooperation on measurement, reporting,
verification, leak detection and repair, and reducing routine
flaring and venting. This is not only about climate policy. It is
also about improving efficiency, reducing waste and modernising the
oil and gas sector. The EU–Azerbaijan energy partnership already
provides several mechanisms for cooperation: the High-level Energy
Dialogue, the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council, the Green
Energy Advisory Council, and investment-focused exchanges with
international financial institutions and European companies. In the
context of the Southern Gas Corridor Ministerial meetings in March,
the EU and Azerbaijan also convened a Green Connectivity Investment
Roundtable with international financial institutions (IFIs) and EU
companies to discuss regional energy connectivity, renewable energy
and energy efficiency. The EU is prepared to examine additional
avenues of support, including guarantees, blended finance and
targeted regulatory assistance," Borrero said.


On grids, she said the EU closely follows the planned
Caspian–Black Sea–Europe Green Energy Corridor as part of broader
discussions on future connectivity between the Caspian region, the
South Caucasus and Europe.


"The key point for the EU is that such projects need to
demonstrate real system value: market integration, security of
supply, technical robustness, commercial credibility and
contribution to decarbonisation. For this project, the next
essential step is to pursue the relevant EU assessment processes,
including Project of Mutual Interest (PMI) status. The PMI process
is based on defined criteria, including market integration,
competition, diversification and contribution to EU climate and
energy goals. The biggest untapped opportunities are in areas where
energy security and decarbonisation reinforce each other: renewable
power generation, storage, grid flexibility, digitalisation,
electrification of oil and gas operations, and methane
mitigation.


European companies can bring technology, financial capacity and
practical project experience. Azerbaijan and the wider Caspian
region can offer significant clean-energy potential and a strategic
location linking Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia. The
task now is to turn this potential into bankable projects,
underpinned by predictable rules, sound investment cases and mutual
benefit," she concluded.