According to Serbian Economist, the energy partnership between Belgrade and Baku is rapidly moving beyond symbolic diversification and beginning to transform into a separate supply chain capable of significantly influencing the balance of the Serbian gas market. Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Energy Orkhan Zeynalov said that by the end of 2026 – early 2027, Azerbaijan could cover up to 20% of Serbia’s gas needs, which, according to him, directly strengthens energy security by reducing dependence on a single source.
The context is simple: Serbia has remained predominantly dependent on gas imports in recent years, and the issue of diversification has become part of a broader agenda, ranging from heating and electricity prices to negotiations with the EU on energy integration. Reuters previously estimated that Serbia receives about 80% of its gas from Russia, with alternative volumes currently serving as insurance and a bargaining chip.
The legal framework for the Azerbaijani route has already been established. The contract between SOCAR and Srbijagas, signed in November 2023, provides for the supply of up to 400 million cubic meters per year in 2024-2026, with the possibility of increasing volumes after 2027. At the same time, official statements by the governments of Serbia and Azerbaijan have recorded separate seasonal agreements for additional volumes during the winter period.
Actual deliveries from Azerbaijan began in 2024, but so far have remained small compared to the overall market. According to data cited by Azerbaijan’s State Statistics Committee, Serbia received about 72.6 million cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas between February and December 2024. For comparison, according to estimates by Azerbaijani and regional sources, in January-November 2025, supplies had already grown to 192 million cubic meters.
Why is Belgrade taking this more seriously than “just another contract”? Because gas is beginning to be linked to industrial projects. In mid-February 2026, the leaders of Serbia and Azerbaijan confirmed plans to build a 500 MW gas-fired power plant, which is seen as a joint project with an estimated commissioning date of 2029. Industry media estimate the investment at around €600 million. Such a plant is capable of creating stable demand for fuel and, accordingly, pushing forward discussions on long-term supply terms — which is why Baku’s statements separately mention the topic of gas prices for future generation.
The stated target of 15-20% seems realistic precisely as a “market share” rather than the maximum technical capacity of the route. Even with Serbia’s moderate consumption, this means the need to reach several hundred million cubic meters per year on a sustainable basis and to secure a commercial supply formula after 2026. At the same time, Baku is making it clear that it sees Serbia as a potential energy hub for the Western Balkans and is looking for additional areas of cooperation, including projects in the field of green energy and hydrogen.
Presidents of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic and Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held the first session of the Strategic Partnership Council and outlined the priorities of the economic bloc – from energy and investment to trade, agriculture and tourism, Serbian Economist reports.
The key practical outcome was the formalization of a package of bilateral documents. Seven agreements and memoranda were exchanged in Belgrade, including agreements on the design, construction and operation of a gas turbine power plant in Serbia, cooperation in the field of food security, a memorandum between the ministries of economy, as well as documents on media and communications, culture (for 2026-2030), sports and interaction of health insurance systems.
The leaders explicitly call energy cooperation the basis for the next step – electricity production based on Azerbaijani gas. Aliyev said Baku has decided to increase natural gas exports to Serbia, linking this to plans for electricity generation and potential future exports.
In the Serbian interpretation, the gas-fired power plant project is already tied to the parameters: Vucic said that Srbijagas and SOCAR are in discussions, and the goal is to reach the launch of the plant with an installed capacity of 500 MW by 2029 (locations are considered in the Niš area).
Against the backdrop of the political increase in the level of relations, the sides are once again returning to the issue of trade turnover. According to the Serbian National Statistics Office, the foreign trade turnover with Azerbaijan in 2024 amounted to $512.6 million (5-fold growth), with the main contribution provided by the purchase of crude oil and oil products.
Baku, for its part, estimates trade turnover in 2025 at $135 million and notes the growth of imports of Serbian goods by 55% – this data was cited by Azerbaijani Finance Minister Sahil Babayev on the eve of the visit.
It was also noted at the Council meeting that direct flights between Baku and Belgrade should start in May 2026, which is expected to strengthen tourism and business contacts.
In the coming months, governments and line ministers should “land” political agreements in the form of concrete projects. Vucic and Aliyev have publicly recorded that they expect quick results before the next visit of the Serbian president to Azerbaijan during this year.
https://t.me/relocationrs/2271
Another shipment of energy equipment has been sent from Azerbaijan to Ukraine, provided by organizations, enterprises, and concerned citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan as part of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ initiative “Warmth for Ukraine” (#WarmthforUkraine), initiated by Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga.
This was reported by the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Yuriy Gusev.
According to him, the aid is primarily intended to support the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES), as well as a number of affected communities. The shipment includes:
17 generators of various capacities, 4 portable power systems, and 3 heat guns. “This is not just equipment—it is warmth, light, and the ability to work, recover, and support each other amid daily Russian terrorist attacks on energy infrastructure,” the ambassador emphasized.
Gusev expressed his sincere gratitude to Azerbaijan, its top leadership, enterprises, organizations, and the entire Azerbaijani people for their consistent and concrete support of Ukraine during difficult times.
“Such assistance is extremely valuable. It once again confirms the friendship between our peoples and the strength of the Ukrainian-Azerbaijani strategic partnership,” the diplomat stressed.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry continues to work to attract similar assistance and is already coordinating with partners on the next shipment of necessary energy equipment.
On behalf of the top leadership of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a new batch of humanitarian aid is being urgently sent to Ukraine on Tuesday, January 20, to restore the country’s energy infrastructure.
According to the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Azerbaijan Yuriy Huseyev, the cargo includes: 11 powerful generators and 5 transformers; more than 27,000 meters of cable and wires; 12 low-voltage panels.
The embassy emphasized that this aid package is a very timely and extremely important contribution to the restoration of the power system and strengthening of Ukraine’s energy security after the Russian terrorist attacks.
Huseyev sincerely thanked President Ilham Aliyev, the entire leadership and people of Azerbaijan for their continued support and solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
“This once again confirms the true strategic partnership and strong friendship between our countries, as well as the readiness to support each other in difficult times and jointly bring a just peace closer,” Huseyev said.
https://interfax.com.ua/news/diplomats/1137962.html
Most Ukrainians have a positive opinion of Azerbaijan, according to the results of a survey conducted by Active Group in collaboration with the Experts Club think tank.
According to the study, 56.7% of Ukrainians expressed a positive attitude toward Azerbaijan, of which 15.3% were completely positive and 41.3% were mostly positive. Only 5.7% of respondents expressed a negative attitude (1.0% completely negative, 4.7% mostly negative). A neutral position was taken by 36.3% of respondents, while another 1.3% said they were not familiar with the country.
“Ukrainians have a favorable attitude toward Azerbaijan, given the close cultural and historical ties, as well as active cooperation in the energy and transport sectors,” emphasized Alexander Pozniy, head of Active Group.
In turn, Experts Club co-founder Maxim Urakin stressed the importance of trade and economic cooperation, which has continued to develop rapidly in recent years.
“According to the results of the first months of 2025, trade turnover between Ukraine and Azerbaijan amounted to $237.9 million. Ukrainian exports reached $110.3 million, while imports amounted to $127.6 million. The negative balance amounted to $17.3 million, which is relatively small compared to other countries, but confirms the activity of mutual trade flows.”
Thus, Azerbaijan remains a reliable partner of Ukraine in both social and economic terms, and the level of trust among Ukrainians remains high.
The full video can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgC9TPnMoMI&t
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ACTIVE GROUP, AZERBAIJAN, EXPERTS CLUB, Pozniy, SOCIOLOGY, TRADE, UKRAINE, УРАКИН
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine intends to reach an agreement with Azerbaijan on the construction of a cultural center, a children’s and youth sports school, and an arts center in Irpin, Kyiv region.
According to Order No. 973 of September 10, the government has formed a delegation to participate in negotiations with the delegation of the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the preparation of the text of a draft agreement on the construction of a cultural center, a children’s and youth sports school, an arts center, and a residential building in Irpin.
Deputy Minister of Community and Territorial Development Marina Denisyuk has been appointed head of the delegation.
