--- title: "Aliyev at the EPC Summit in Dublin: Azerbaijan to Expand Gas Supplies to the EU and Deepen Partnership with the UK" description: "At the EPC summit in Dublin, Ilham Aliyev announced Azerbaijan's intention to increase and diversify gas supplies to the EU and signed a strategic partnership declaration with the UK." date: 2026-11-14T12:06:35.291Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/aliyev-epc-dublin-gas-uk tags: [azerbaijan, eu, energy, gas, epc-summit, dublin, uk, strategic-partnership, middle-corridor] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Aliyev at the EPC Summit in Dublin: Azerbaijan to Expand Gas Supplies to the EU and Deepen Partnership with the UK ![Group photo of European Political Community summit participants in Dublin in front of a branded banner](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/14/azerbaidzhan-epc-dublin-gazovye-postavki-uk/azerbaidzhan-epc-dublin-gazovye-postavki-uk-1.webp) ## Key Points - Ilham Aliyev stated at the 9th EPC summit in Dublin that Azerbaijan intends to increase and diversify energy supplies to the EU beyond the current ten member states. - Azerbaijan has increased gas supplies to the EU from 8 to 13 billion cubic meters per year; the Baku-Italy pipeline is operating at full capacity. - Aliyev and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham signed a strategic partnership declaration focusing on defense, trade, renewable energy, and AI. - Zelenskyy and Aliyev discussed emergency support for the Ukrainian energy system and signed contracts under the "Drone Deal". At the ninth summit of the European Political Community (EPC) in Dublin, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev announced Baku's intention to increase and diversify energy supplies to Europe, going beyond the current ten EU member states that currently receive Azerbaijani gas. Speaking on the sidelines of the summit, the head of the Azerbaijani government emphasized that the country intends to expand the geography of exports and strengthen its role in ensuring the continent's energy security. The statement came amid growing European demand for alternative gas sources and the search for supply diversification. ### Talks with António Costa and Gas Figures On the sidelines of the summit, Aliyev held talks with European Council President António Costa, during which the parties discussed long-term energy contracts "in the context of the ongoing successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union in the field of gas supplies," according to the Azerbaijani presidential administration. Costa, in turn, called the resumption of negotiations on a new agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan "good news for our citizens." The strategic energy partnership between the EU and Azerbaijan was established in 2022. According to Aliyev, Baku has already increased gas supplies to the EU from 8 to 13 billion cubic meters per year — almost half of the country's total exports — and, with the opening of new fields, intends to increase volumes further. ### Renewable Energy and the Baku-Italy Pipeline Cooperation between the parties goes beyond traditional gas: renewable energy has become a strategic national goal for Baku. Aliyev noted the reached agreement between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, and Bulgaria on exporting renewable energy to European markets. The president also stated that the gas pipeline stretching from Baku to Italy, passing through the territory of seven countries and supplying ten EU member states via interconnectors in Bulgaria, is currently operating at full capacity, and Baku intends to continue expanding its throughput capacity. ### The Middle Corridor and Invitation to Brussels Costa and Aliyev stated that the European Union's assessment of the Nakhchivan railway project will soon be completed. The leaders discussed the development of transport links and logistics within the framework of the global "Middle Corridor" project connecting Asia and Europe via the South Caucasus and Central Asia towards the Black Sea, which, they said, is rapidly developing as an alternative to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz for global supply chains. Costa invited Aliyev to Brussels to continue discussions on EU-Azerbaijan cooperation, emphasizing the South Caucasus country's role in ensuring Europe's energy supply and security and noting that "with peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia now a reality, the EU is also investing so that people throughout the region benefit from it." ### Strategic Partnership with the United Kingdom In Dublin, Aliyev and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham signed a Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom. While the UK remains the largest European investor in Azerbaijan's economy — historically thanks to BP's operations in the Caspian region — the new strategic framework emphasizes cooperation in defense and security, trade and investment expansion, the development of renewable energy and infrastructure, as well as artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. British officials stated that relations have reached a historical milestone, and amid Russia closely monitoring the process, the parties agreed to "strengthen defense and security cooperation in support of regional peace and stability" across a wide range of priorities in response to changing challenges. The parties also reaffirmed their intention to support the development of the "Middle Corridor" and transport, logistics, and infrastructure projects facilitating cross-border trade. ### Ukrainian Energy System and the "Drone Deal" A separate area of contact at the summit was a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ilham Aliyev, during which, according to reports, a "detailed discussion" took place focusing on emergency support for the damaged Ukrainian energy system ahead of the harsh winter and on post-war reconstruction strategies. Zelenskyy confirmed that under the existing bilateral drone agreement — the so-called "Drone Deal" — relevant contracts were signed, complementing the energy and logistics agenda of cooperation at the EPC summit in Dublin. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Алиев объявил об увеличении газовых поставок в страны ЕС](https://ru.euronews.com/2026/11/14/azerbaijan-intensifies-its-european-engagement-at-the-epc-summit) - Primary source: EPC summit in Dublin, Aliyev's talks with Costa, growth of gas supplies from 8 to 13 billion cubic meters, RES agreement with Georgia/Turkey/Bulgaria, declaration with the UK, meeting with Zelenskyy. All key facts of the article are taken from here. - [Алиев: Азербайджан готовит международный иск против России в связи с крушением самолета AZAL](https://www.rfi.fr/ru/%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B7/20250720-%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%B5%D0%B2-%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B1%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%B4%D0%B6%D0%B0%D0%BD-%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%82-%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%B6%D0%B4%D1%83%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9-%D0%B8%D1%81%D0%BA-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2-%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B8-%D0%B2-%D1%81%D0%B2%D1%8F%D0%B7%D0%B8-%D1%81-%D0%BA%D1%80%D1%83%D1%88%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5%D0%BC-%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B0-azal) - The source is dated 2025 and concerns a separate topic (international lawsuit over the AZAL crash) unrelated to the facts of the 2026 EPC summit. Used only as context for Aliyev's foreign agenda; contains no contradictions with the core basis. ## FAQ ### How much gas does Azerbaijan currently supply to the EU? According to Ilham Aliyev, gas supplies to the EU have been increased from 8 to 13 billion cubic meters per year, which accounts for almost half of the country's total exports. ### What did Azerbaijan and the UK sign in Dublin? Ilham Aliyev and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham signed a Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership emphasizing defense and security, trade, investment, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence. ### Was Ukrainian energy discussed at the summit? Yes, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ilham Aliyev held a "detailed discussion" on emergency support for the damaged Ukrainian energy system ahead of winter and post-war reconstruction; Zelenskyy also confirmed the signing of contracts under the bilateral "Drone Deal".