The war between Russia and Ukraine, which has been going on for more than two years, has created serious problems for Europe’s energy security. With the aim of ending cooperation with Moscow in all fields, the West is turning to alternative sources to reduce energy dependence. Of course, one of the most ideal options for Europe in this process is Azerbaijan. Baku already supplies blue fuel to 10 countries. Seven of them are members of the European Union.
“Caspian” newspaper article on the subject.
A challenge that threatens Europe
Recently, during his business trip to Italy, the President, who spoke at the session “The role of Azerbaijan in the new geopolitical conditions” at the International Chernobyl Forum Ilham Aliyev He also stressed this issue. “The current energy supply clearly demonstrates that energy security is an integral part of national security,” the Azerbaijani president said. And now Western countries face a new challenge that threatens their energy security. In December 2024, the agreement on the supply of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine expires. The parties cannot come to a common position on this issue. If this agreement is not reached, a serious energy problem is expected in four European countries: Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Austria. As a result, there is a risk of a deficit of 800 million euros in the Slovak budget alone, which is considered a very serious economic loss.
In this difficult situation, the West once again sees Azerbaijan as a way out. Negotiations are already underway with Baku to resolve this issue. There are several points to note in this matter. The request for the transportation of Azerbaijani gas to the West via Russia through Ukraine came from Brussels and kyiv. Taking into account these calls, the top leaders of Azerbaijan agreed to mediate between kyiv and Moscow on the gas issue.
This fact once again demonstrates the diplomatic skill of the President of Azerbaijan, the predictable, consistent and professional nature of the policy pursued by official Baku, as well as the fact that our country has been perceived as a reliable partner for many years. As a result of the well-known policy, everyone agrees that Azerbaijan is the most ideal option for resolving the energy crisis between the three parties currently in conflict. Azerbaijan’s humanitarian assistance to Ukraine as a result of the war, its continued political support for its territorial integrity and sovereignty, and its contributions to ensuring energy security in these difficult times are the basis of official Kiev’s trust in Baku. At the same time, Azerbaijan has always maintained its relations with Russia at the highest level and has not joined the sanctions imposed by the West. It has always paid attention to developing relations with Moscow with a pragmatic policy based on conciliation, mutual respect and national interests in the region. For this reason, Azerbaijan is the only state that can play the role of mediator in known negotiations in a professional and impartial manner.
By the way, President Ilham Aliyev drew attention to this issue in his speech at the Chernobyl forum. According to him, great efforts have been made for several months to achieve a common denominator: “It is known that if this transit stops, which will happen in December, a number of EU countries will face serious difficulties related to the physical availability of natural gas. We only want to support these countries and Ukraine, because the gas distribution system in Ukraine will be completely paralyzed, because we are in contact with both countries and we see that there is a basis for serious progress on my part if we can succeed. Here I think we can take additional steps to end this war that has devastated the entire region.”
As can be seen from the speech of the President of Azerbaijan, there is optimism, and this is an indication that official Baku has achieved the goals and tasks aimed at concluding all problematic issues with a positive outcome. It should also be noted that Azerbaijan acts here as the main alternative source. That is, Baku’s role is not limited only to the mediation mission, but it also has the main voice in this initiative.
The outcome of the negotiations will be known soon. If Baku’s mediation mission on the energy issue yields successful results, it will mean opening a new window of opportunity for kyiv and Moscow. The parties will have found a new coordinator to end the bloody war in a country they trust and will have successfully completed the mediation mission. President Ilham Aliyev’s statement “if we can succeed here, I think we will be able to take further steps to end this war that devastated the entire region” as an initial appeal to the parties. Of course, the final say in this matter will still be with kyiv and Moscow.
However, the appeals to Baku regarding the gas transit, the mediation mission and the trust shown by the parties to the conflict demonstrate that Azerbaijan today has a high international reputation and trust. This is a manifestation of the leadership qualities, diplomatic intelligence and pragmatic policy based on national interests of the top leaders of Azerbaijan.
