Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Greece is of pretty wide character. Diplomatic relations of Azerbaijan with this state were established in April 1992. Greek embassy in Azerbaijan was opened on May 27, 1993, Azerbaijan opened its embassy in this country on April 16, 2004. Meetings and visits on the levels of presidents and ministers have contributed to the development of bilateral ties between the two states. State visit President Ilham Aliyev paid to Greece on June 15, 2014 showed these relations have entered a new period of development.

An important part of relationship between Azerbaijan and Greece is associated with energy security. Greek-Azerbaijani relations are of strategic importance here. TAP gas pipeline which will carry natural gas from Azerbaijan to Europe via Greece deepens bilateral economic cooperation. The TAP project is not only a project of energy security. At the same time, it has raised the friendly ties between the two countries to an even higher level. The Shah Deniz, TANAP and TAP projects initiated by Azerbaijan are currently the largest infrastructure projects in Europe. As a result of these projects, Azerbaijan will export its natural gas to European markets for decades to come. President of Greece Karolos Papoulias hailed the acquisition on the part of the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan of most of the shares of Greek company DESFA as a positive development.

Three documents opening up new opportunities for the expansion of bilateral relations between the countries were signed as part of the visit: a memorandum between Greece and Azerbaijan on issues of the European Union, an agreement on cooperation in the field of agriculture and a memorandum on cooperation in youth affairs. Thus, huge potential to deepen our political, economic and cultural relations, accompanied by well-organized cooperation in energy sphere, was confirmed. In short, the visit proved the bilateral relations are enhancing towards the strategic partnership. Confidence in faster development of these relations in future was expressed.

Naila Mammadova, 
“Azerbaijan Realities”