BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 6.
The 8th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade
and Economic Cooperation between the Government of Azerbaijan and
the Government of the UK was held in Baku, co-chaired by
Azerbaijan's Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov and the UK Minister
of State for Trade, Lord Anas Sarwar, Trend’s correspondent reports from the
event.


During the meeting, views were exchanged regarding the current
state and future prospects of Azerbaijan-UK relations, and
discussions focused on opportunities to expand cooperation in areas
such as political dialogue, economy and trade, energy, transport
and digital infrastructure, agriculture, humanitarian affairs, and
healthcare. The meeting emphasized that the UK has been one of
Azerbaijan's key economic partners for over three decades. At the
meeting, it was noted that the UK is the largest foreign investor
in Azerbaijan, with investments exceeding $39 billion. Last year,
trade turnover between the two countries increased by 67%. In the
first half of this year, trade turnover rose 5.5-fold, reaching
$3.6 billion, while Azerbaijan's exports to the UK rose
24-fold.


The meeting noted that the long-term partnership with bp
continues through initiatives such as the commencement of
associated gas production at the ACG field, the Shah Deniz
Compression, Shafag-Asiman, Karabakh, and Ashrafi-Dan Ulduzu-Aypara
projects, as well as joint activities in Uzbekistan. Emphasis was
placed on the 240 MW Shafag Solar Power Plant, scheduled for
commissioning next year, and the decarbonization of the Sangachal
Terminal using its energy, highlighting this as an exemplary model
of the energy transition. Information was also provided regarding
projects aimed at establishing green energy corridors to connect
the Caspian region and Central Asia with Europe.


At the meeting, it was announced that the aim is to reach a
Final Investment Decision on the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green
Energy Corridor in 2029. The active participation of the UK in this
and other green energy interconnection projects was encouraged. The
involvement of the UK company Xlinks in cooperation in this area
was viewed as a new opportunity for joint activity.


The 14% growth in transit freight transport between Azerbaijan
and the UK in 2025 was cited as an indicator of positive momentum
in transport sector cooperation. Encouragement was given for more
active participation by UK companies, as well as the UK's export
credit agency, UKEF, in infrastructure and logistics projects along
the Middle Corridor. Additionally, discussions covered the
implementation of joint initiatives in artificial intelligence,
cybersecurity, data centers, and human capital development; the
drafting of a roadmap for these sectors; and the potential for
establishing joint educational programs with leading UK
universities.


At the meeting, the support provided by the UK for Azerbaijan's
mine-clearing operations, as well as the development of ties in the
fields of agriculture, food security, education, culture, and
tourism, were also positively assessed.


Shahbazov said that the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan,
Ilham Aliyev, attaches great importance to strengthening friendly
relations and further developing multifaceted cooperation with the
UK, one of the country's key trading partners.


"The results we have achieved have created a solid foundation
for elevating our relations to the level of a strategic
partnership. There is both the political will and vast potential
for cooperation to achieve this. The documents signed during
today's meeting, as well as the adoption of a comprehensive action
plan, demonstrate that our political dialogue is translating into
concrete results. Our primary task is to turn agreements into
practical outcomes and existing potential into new projects," the
minister noted.


Sarwar pointed out that the UK and Azerbaijan have built a
strong partnership based on investment and cooperation across a
range of key sectors over many years.


“Today's dialogue demonstrates our shared commitment to
elevating our strategic partnership to a higher level by deepening
cooperation in areas ranging from clean energy to artificial
intelligence. This will pave the way for new business opportunities
and accelerate economic growth in both countries," he added.


At the conclusion of the meeting, a protocol was signed, along
with four other documents covering cooperation in green energy,
transport connectivity, and urban mobility. These documents
included a Memorandum of Understanding between Xlinks and the Green
Corridor Alliance, a Roadmap between UKEF and the Ministry of
Digital Development and Transport, as well as agreements on
cooperation with relevant UK institutions and companies in
transport, education, and other sectors. Additionally, an action
plan covering the years 2026–2027 and comprising more than 60
measures across 10 areas has been adopted.