Baku, July 08, 2025 – The Europe Today: Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, has concluded a working visit to Slovenia at the invitation of Bojan Kumer, Minister of Environment, Climate and Energy of the Republic of Slovenia. The visit marked a significant step forward in deepening Azerbaijani–Slovenian cooperation in the energy sector, ahead of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year.
During the visit, Minister Shahbazov held high-level talks with Minister Kumer and engaged in extensive discussions with the leadership of major Slovenian energy companies, including Geoplin, Petrol Group, Plinovodi, and HSE.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the growing momentum of bilateral relations, particularly highlighting the dynamic progress and productive collaboration in the energy domain. In this context, the ministers emphasized the strategic significance of two Memoranda of Understanding: one between the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan and Slovenia’s Ministry of Environment, Climate and Energy on energy cooperation, and another between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and Geoplin on natural gas supply.
The commencement of Azerbaijani natural gas deliveries to Slovenia was hailed as a tangible outcome of the partnership, contributing not only to Slovenia’s energy security but also to broader European efforts to diversify energy sources. Minister Kumer described Azerbaijan as a reliable and trusted partner, noting that gas from Azerbaijan accounted for around 5 percent of Slovenia’s total consumption last year. He reaffirmed Slovenia’s commitment to increasing these volumes in the near future.
Key topics of discussion included Slovenia’s energy policy priorities, Azerbaijan’s national energy strategy, the evolving strategic partnership with the European Union, and the development of infrastructure to support enhanced gas flows. Both sides addressed long-term supply agreements, necessary financing arrangements, and collaborative investment opportunities.
The ministers also reviewed plans to increase Azerbaijani gas deliveries through the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) by 1.2 billion cubic meters by 2026. Long-term prospects for sustained gas supply to Slovenia and regional energy security were also discussed, alongside the importance of strengthening mutual consultations.
Azerbaijan’s broader integration with European energy networks was also examined in the context of key regional projects, such as the Caspian–Black Sea–European Green Energy Corridor, the Azerbaijan–Georgia–Türkiye–Bulgaria interconnector, and the Central Asia–Azerbaijan Energy Corridor. These initiatives, the ministers noted, present substantial opportunities for enhancing trade routes, securing energy supplies, and fostering regional cooperation via the Caspian Sea.
In meetings with the chief executives of Slovenia’s major energy firms—Simon Urbancl (Geoplin), Sašo Berger (Petrol Group), Marjan Eberlinc (Plinovodi), and Tomaž Štokelj (HSE)—discussions focused on expanding cooperation in oil, natural gas, and green energy. The talks addressed Slovenia’s energy demand, strategies for oil and electricity supply, cross-border natural gas transmission infrastructure, and initiatives to boost electricity generation from renewable sources, particularly solar and wind.
Minister Shahbazov extended an invitation to Slovenian companies to invest in Azerbaijan’s green energy projects and participate as offtakers, highlighting the country’s commitment to a sustainable and diversified energy future.
