Azerbaijan, Italy prepare to sign strategic partnership agreement

The level of relations between Azerbaijan and Italy have enabled the conclusion of a strategic partnership agreement between the countries, Energy Minister Natiq Aliyev told journalists as part of a meeting of the Azerbaijani-Italian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation December 16.

"Currently, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry is working on the document," he said.

"At present, Italy is the buyer of the greater part of Azerbaijani oil and accordingly, one of the main trade-economic partners of the country," he said.

"Two Italian companies will also become the buyers of Azerbaijani gas after the Southern Gas Corridor implementation," he said. "The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline is a part of it. This will mean cooperation between the parties in the energy sector will be further strengthened."

"Along with participation in the energy sector of the country, Italian companies are also represented in other areas, particularly, in the construction sector and for example, Codest International and Impreza," Aliyev said. "Besides these sectors, there are opportunities for cooperation in the social sphere and transport sector."

Cooperation in the field of small and medium business will also become profitable to Azerbaijan and in particular, in the development of the non-oil sector.

Adapted from Today.az