Four Countries Appeal to EU for Funding to Facilitate Azerbaijani Gas Supply to Europe

Four EU member states—Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Slovakia—have appealed to the European Commission for funding to develop infrastructure necessary for the supply of Azerbaijani gas to Europe. This was announced during a press conference with Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, by Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, as reported by RIA Novosti.

"Together with the Bulgarians, Romanians, and Slovaks, we have approached the European Commission to treat this issue as a priority and provide financial support for the development of infrastructure in the region necessary to include the increased volume of Azerbaijani gas through the route passing through Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia into the energy security of Southern and Central Europe," Szijjarto stated.

According to him, this involves the development of infrastructure, the construction of new interconnectors, and the enhancement of existing capacities.

It is noteworthy that in July, Brussels and Baku signed an agreement to double gas supplies within the EU's diversification policy by 2027 (up to 20 billion cubic meters) in order to reduce reliance on Russian gas.

However, Baku insists that the expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor, which stretches 3,500 kilometers from the Caspian Sea to the Adriatic Sea, requires billions of dollars in investment, as well as contracts for gas purchases from European companies post-2027.