Italy’s Meloni Vows Closer Ties With Azerbaijan in Energy Push

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni vowed closer cooperation with Azerbaijan as part of a broader energy diplomacy effort to address the supply squeeze caused by the Iran war.

Azerbaijan’s gas and oil, which account for 16% and 17% of Italy’s imports, respectively, have been “crucial” for Italy’s energy security since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Meloni said after meeting with President Ilham Aliyev in Baku on Monday. She pledged to “deepen this partnership.”