On January 8, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Magdalena Grono, the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus. 

Grono expressed gratitude for the reception, offered condolences for a recent plane crash, and emphasized the EU’s interest in maintaining stability in the South Caucasus. She acknowledged Azerbaijan’s significant role in regional and broader contexts, including its contribution to European energy security, and highlighted the importance of ongoing dialogue between Azerbaijan and the EU. Aliyev noted the long-standing cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU and emphasized Azerbaijan's commitment to ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region, particularly through negotiations with Armenia. Both sides underscored the need to continue their cooperation.

Later that day, Elnur Mammadov, Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with the EU delegation led by Grono. Grono reiterated her condolences over the plane crash and expressed the EU's readiness to offer assistance. The discussions focused on bilateral and multilateral cooperation, regional security, and the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. They reviewed areas of cooperation such as energy, trade, transport, and communications and the potential for increasing Azerbaijan's role in European energy security, particularly through green energy exports. The meeting also touched on Azerbaijan's successful hosting of COP29 and how environmental measures could enhance Azerbaijan-EU cooperation.

Mammadov informed Grono about the latest developments in the region, including the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, the peace agreement negotiations with Armenia, the return of displaced persons, and the challenges posed by landmines. The parties discussed EU support for addressing the fates of missing Azerbaijanis, demining efforts, and regional connectivity restoration. Mammadov also criticized the activities of the EU Mission in Armenia, particularly the financial support for Armenia, arguing that it fostered revanchist tendencies rather than peace.