Azerbaijan and Italy Expand Strategic Partnership on Critical Raw Materials

Azerbaijan and Italy plan to expand economic cooperation, focusing on raw material processing, modern technologies and new production facilities. Baku sees the move as a chance to earn more income from its own resources and develop higher value-added industry, while Rome aims to secure access to strategically important raw materials and widen the presence of Italian companies in the Azerbaijani market.

The new stage is set out in a Joint Declaration on Strategic Cooperation in Critical Raw Materials, signed during a working visit to Italy by Azerbaijani Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov. Bilateral trade reached 8 billion euros in 2025, and the sides intend to raise it to more than 10 billion euros. Italy remains Azerbaijan's largest export market, but trade still largely depends on energy. According to Italy's Foreign Ministry, nearly 48 billion cubic metres of Azerbaijani gas reached Italy via the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) between 2021 and 2025.

Talks in Rome covered companies including Eni, Snam, Saipem, Ansaldo Energia, Danieli, TIM and Aruba, as well as AzerGold and enterprises in the aluminium and steel sectors. Italian exports to Azerbaijan totalled 432 million euros in 2025, and Confindustria estimates additional growth potential of over 110 million euros. Financing options involving Azerbaijan's Business Development Fund and Italy's SACE agency were also discussed.