AZERBAİJAN – EUROPEAN ENERGY PARTNERSHİP: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

The analysis conducted on the topic "Azerbaijan – European Energy Partnership: Prospects and Challenges" shows that energy cooperation is a crucial component of the strategic relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union (EU). Azerbaijan’s rich energy resources and favorable geostrategic position align with Europe’s goals of diversifying energy resources and ensuring energy security. Particularly, the Southern Gas Corridor project serves as one of the key pillars of this cooperation. Within the framework of this project, the transportation of natural gas extracted from Azerbaijan’s Shah Deniz-2 field to Europe contributes to the formation of mutual dependence and reliability between the parties.

The article also explores future development directions and current challenges of energy cooperation. These challenges include geopolitical risks, technological and financial difficulties, the impact of policies related to climate change, and the pressures created by the green energy transition. In addition, Azerbaijan’s growing potential in the renewable energy sector aligns with the European Union’s green energy agenda, creating new opportunities for cooperation. Azerbaijan–EU energy partnership is of significant importance not only from an economic standpoint but also politically, ecologically, and strategically. To ensure the sustainable and effective development of this partnership in the future, legal, technological, and institutional reforms are necessary, as well as the expansion of joint energy projects.