Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov held a bilateral meeting with Gareth Thomas, the UK’s Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports) at the Department for Business and Trade to discuss key issues on the bilateral cooperation.
Two ministers co-chaired the 7th Meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland took place in London.
Minister Shahbazov emphasized President Ilham Aliyev’s commitment to deepening ties with the United Kingdom, Azerbaijan’s primary trading partner. He highlighted the UK’s position as the largest foreign investor in Azerbaijan, with over $37 billion in investments.
More than 500 British companies currently operate in Azerbaijan across diverse sectors. A fourfold increase in bilateral trade turnover in the first quarter of this year reflects the dynamic growth of the partnership.
He also underlined the strategic cooperation with bp, which has invested more than $35 billion in Azerbaijan's oil and gas sector. This collaboration is expanding to include green energy initiatives, such as the soon-to-begin construction of the Shafag Solar Power Plant. This project exemplifies joint efforts in renewable energy and decarbonization.
Shahbazov also welcomed broader cooperation with UK companies and noted the £5 billion loan guarantee from UK Export Finance (UKEF) for priority projects in energy transition, transportation, and infrastructure.
The meeting gathered representatives from around 30 Azerbaijani government agencies. Discussions covered over 20 sectors, with presentations on development prospects and opportunities for cooperation in areas including:
Energy transition (renewables, grid development, emissions reduction, liberalization of the electricity market, offshore wind, solar, and hydrogen)
Financial and professional services
Technology and artificial intelligence
SME promotion, cybersecurity, education, science, and healthcare
Youth, culture, and sports
Additional areas of focus included infrastructure development via the Middle Corridor, mutual investment, textile industry collaboration, water and waste management, transport, aviation, digital construction, and demining.
The sides agreed to enhance cooperation on regulatory alignment, expand participation in industrial parks and economic zones (including the Alat Free Economic Zone), and facilitate exports and business environments in both countries.
The need to expedite the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Azerbaijan and the UK was also highlighted.
In his remarks, Minister Gareth Thomas stated: "Today’s deals with Azerbaijan will allow for an even closer working relationship between our two nations. Our Plan for Change to drive economic growth is at the heart of these agreements, boosting exports and services across the energy, infrastructure, and education sectors. Azerbaijan has long been a key partner for many UK industries, and these deals will solidify that partnership for years to come."
During the event:
- A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between UKEF and AZPROMO.
- A Protocol on the Outcomes of the 7th session of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission was signed.
It was agreed that the 8th meeting of the Commission will be held in Baku in 2026.
Read next
16:16
Uzbekistan and Iran have agreed to establish a Joint Business Council aimed at fostering development of business ties and facilitating the resolution of issues between entrepreneurs from both countries.
17:05
IRAN-RUSSIA
The 18th meeting of the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation between Iran and Russia is scheduled to take place in Moscow from April 23 to 25. The event aims to strengthen bilateral collaboration across a wide range of sectors.
13:35
TÜRKİYE-EU
Today, the High-Level Economic Dialogue between Türkiye and the European Union has been resumed in Brussels after six years.
00:29
PAKISTAN-AZERBAIJAN
Pakistan's Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in Baku for an official visit at invitation of Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev.
11:43
CASPIAN REGION
The third Caspian Economic Forum in Teheran has brought together government officials from states of the Caspian region.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment