Azerbaijan Strengthens Ties with Italy

Azerbaijan decided to open its fourth National Confederation of Entrepreneurs Organisation (AEC) office in Italy, after opening similar services in Turkey, Germany and Ukraine.

The decision was announced in Baku on Thursday.

A few hours before, Rome hosted a conference on the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, in which speakers underlined the importance of the project for the country and for Europe. 

On the other hand, local opposition to the project continues in Italy. Apulia Region found peer support in another region on the Adriatic Sea. Apulia teamed up with Abruzzo to coordinate efforts to resist offshore drilling, also opposing the new pipeline that from Turkey would bring Azeri gas to Europe.

In the last years, Italy has been the number one trade partner of Azerbaijan. The Bel Paese accounts for 20% of Azeri exports in 2013.

In September, the TAP project received the approval of Environmental Impact Assessment from the Italian Government.