The first meeting of the strategic dialogue between Azerbaijan and Italy was held with the participation of the Foreign Ministers of the two countries within the official visit of Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio to Azerbaijan. The statement came from the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

The meeting focused on Azerbaijan-Italy bilateral strategic partnership and issues of mutual interest on the regional and international agenda.

"The ministers expressed satisfaction with the high-level political dialogue between the two countries, mutual visits, extensive economic cooperation, intensive exchanges in energy, transport, culture, humanitarian and other fields," the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) press service said. "Azerbaijan appreciates the fair and international law-based position of the Italian government and parliament, as well as senators and deputies during the Great Patriotic War and the post-conflict period," the ministry said.

The MFA added that Bayramov briefed on the current situation in the region, including the steps taken by Azerbaijan to implement the trilateral statements, Azerbaijan's position on the normalisation of relations between the two countries, the restoration and reconstruction work in the liberated areas. "Armenia's violation of the provisions of the tripartite statement has been brought to the attention of the other side, which is an obstacle to peacebuilding in the region," the ministry said.

The sides exchanged views on humanitarian demining activities in Azerbaijan. It is said that the Italian side expressed interest in expanding its participation in the demining process. The MFA added that the parties also discussed cooperation in a multilateral format within international organisations, including relations with the European Union, as well as the situation in Ukraine.

At the end of the meeting, the ministers signed a document "Protocol of the first meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Italian Republic."

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said at a press conference after meeting with his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Mayo that Azerbaijan has invested $ 1.7 billion in Italy. "In 2021, the trade turnover will be about $ 10 billion. In 2021, Azerbaijan will supply about 7 billion cubic meters of gas to Italy via the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP),” he stated.

Additionally, Luigi Di Maio met with President Ilham Aliyev on April 2.

President Aliyev said that Azerbaijan is Italy's main trade partner in the South Caucasus and 95 percent of Italy's trade with the South Caucasus is with Azerbaijan. "The numbers are very good, almost $10 billion last year. I am confident that this figure will increase this year due to additional gas supplies to Italy," he added.

Speaking about energy cooperation, he said that for many years Azerbaijan has been a reliable source of oil and the number one source of oil supply to Italy. "Now, with the completion of the Southern Gas Corridor project, we have become an important gas supplier, and we are the third largest supplier of gas. If there is potential to move forward, of course we will. I was also very pleased with the fact that last year we supplied 7 billion cubic meters of gas, and this year it will be even more,” Aliyev underlined.

Minister Luigi Di Mayo said that there are important relations between the two countries and economic relations are developing very well. "I think economic relations are always political. As economic ties grow, so do political and historical ties. The opportunity to participate in this important event on the occasion of the foundation of our joint university will be another step towards strengthening our ties. You mentioned TAP. It is in this period, in peacetime, that TAP demonstrates the importance of establishing economic ties,” he flagged.

Meanwhile, a ground-breaking ceremony of the Italian-Azerbaijani University was held in Baku with the participation of Luigi Di Mayo.

The head of the Oil Research Center, Ilham Shaban, told that Italy is interested in expanding energy cooperation with Azerbaijan.

"Since the start of transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe in December 2020, energy cooperation between the two countries has reached a new level. If until 2020, Italy was the largest consumer of Azerbaijani oil in Europe, now 85% of Azerbaijan's gas exports to Europe come from Italy. Last year, Azerbaijan exported 6.9 billion cubic meters of gas to Italy. In 2021, this volume will be 7.4-7.6 billion cubic meters. In 2023, this figure will reach 8 billion cubic meters, i.e., the contract volume," the expert shared.

The structure of the foreign trade turnover of the two countries in terms of products is dominated by exports of crude oil and oil products to Italy. Imports include machine-building products, special mechanical devices and machines, machines, spare parts, as well as medicines, transformers, construction materials, furniture, food, and knitwear.

60 documents were signed between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Italian Republic.

In 2017, 2018 and 2019, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov paid working visits to Italy.