Joint answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell i Fontelles on behalf of the European Commission

6.1.2023

The Memorandum of Understanding on Energy (MoU) signed on 18 July 2022 with Azerbaijan is part of the EU’s efforts to diversify its energy sources.

Increased pipeline gas deliveries from Azerbaijan via the Southern Gas Corridor have contributed to secure gas supply to the EU in the wake of the energy crisis, and preventing further price increases spiralling up.

This does not impact the EU’s stance in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and is not done at the expense of the dialogue with Azerbaijan on human rights and democracy.

One of the political objectives of the MoU is indeed to reduce European dependence on Russian gas. In this respect, the Commission is closely looking at the increasing cooperation between Gazprom and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR).

The EU by no means encourages Russian gas exports. The Commission is in continuous contact with Azerbaijani authorities on the implementation of the MoU and the issue of Russian gas imports will be discussed in the context of the MoU implementation meetings.