Energy cooperation between the Italian and Azerbaijani Republics: evolution and current state

The special military operation of the Russian Federation in Ukraine and the antiRussian sanctions imposed by the European Union, in general, and Italy, in particular, including in the energy sector, have become a catalyst for structural transformations of logistics chains of hydrocarbon supplies to European markets. There is a clear trend among European countries to look for new sources of fossil fuel exports, which are still necessary to ensure the energy security of the EU member states. In particular, since Russia had until recently been a key partner of the Italian Republic in the energy field, the new reality has led to a rapid increase in Italy’s cooperation with many other hydrocarbon supplier countries, including Azerbaijan. Methodology: case study, correlation analysis, expert assessment method, comparative analysis, structural and functional analysis, traditional document analysis and factor analysis. Conclusions: the stability of the energy partnership development between the Italian and Azerbaijani Republics, despite the international agenda and the frequent change of Italian governments; the cooperation is carried out both at the interstate level and between the companies of the two countries; the imbalance in trade between the two states, as Azerbaijan supplies mainly energy resources to Italy, and Italian exports to the Transcaucasian republic are more diversified; Azerbaijani natural gas is gradually approaching the export potential of the Transcaucasian republic’s oil. 

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