AZE.US
Italy is preparing to reinforce its strategic engagement with Azerbaijan, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expected to visit Baku in the coming weeks as Rome looks to expand political dialogue and strengthen energy cooperation with its Caspian partner.
According to Euronews, the visit could take place in May or June and would mark another step in the steady deepening of ties between the two countries.
At the center of the relationship remains Azerbaijani gas delivered to Italy through the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), a key segment of the broader Southern Gas Corridor linking the Caspian region to Europe.
Luca Schieppati, managing director of the TAP AG consortium, said that since the pipeline entered commercial operation, more than 47.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas have been delivered to Italy. In total, 57 billion cubic meters have reached Europe through TAP, helping diversify supply routes and support the stability of the continent’s energy system.
He noted that Italy remains the main destination for Azerbaijani gas transported through TAP and the principal entry point for pipeline deliveries into the wider European market.
In 2025, TAP accounted for about 16.5% of Italy’s total gas imports, underlining the scale of Azerbaijan’s role in the country’s energy balance. Schieppati said energy security continues to serve as the foundation of long-term cooperation between Rome and Baku.
Simona Scotto, a researcher at the Topchubashov Center, told Euronews that Meloni’s expected trip would continue a series of previous bilateral and multilateral contacts, including exchanges linked to COP29 and earlier official visits.
She said the agenda has not yet been finalized, but energy cooperation is expected to remain one of its central pillars alongside broader economic and political ties.
Scotto also noted that Italy is currently Azerbaijan’s leading trade partner, while bilateral cooperation has gradually expanded beyond energy into sectors such as defense and aviation. That broader diversification, she said, reflects the increasingly layered nature of ties between the two countries.
The expected visit would come as Italy continues to treat Azerbaijan not only as a major energy supplier, but as a strategic partner whose importance to Rome now extends well beyond gas.
AZE.US