This article investigates the energy security policy of the European Union (EU) with a specific emphasis on its strategic cooperation with the Republic of Azerbaijan within the South Caucasus region. The EU’s limited internal energy production—accounting for merely 2% of global gas reserves and 4% of oil reserves—has made it increasingly reliant on external sources, which in turn heightens its geopolitical vulnerabilities. In response to this structural dependency, the EU has prioritized the diversification of its energy supply through engagement with alternative producing and transit countries. The South Caucasus, particularly Azerbaijan and Georgia, has emerged as a central component in this strategy. Azerbaijan’s substantial hydrocarbon reserves and advantageous geographical position have allowed it to become both a producer and a transit hub for delivering Caspian energy resources to European markets.
The study traces the evolution of EU-Azerbaijan energy relations since the early 2000s, particularly through mechanisms such as the Energy Charter Treaty, the European Neighborhood Policy, the Baku Initiative, and the Black Sea Synergy. A key milestone in this cooperation is the development of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), a 3,500 km network of integrated pipelines—comprising the South Caucasus Pipeline, TANAP, and TAP—that ensures the safe and direct delivery of ShahDeniz gas to the European market. These projects, backed by both political and financial support from the EU, have significantly contributed to the Union’s broader energy diversification strategy and enhanced its ability to bypass dependency on Russian-controlled routes.
The research concludes that sustained EU-Azerbaijan energy collaboration is mutually beneficial and essential for long-term stability, regional connectivity, and strategic balance across the Eurasian energy corridor.
Key words: South Caucasus, cooperation, energy, European Union, Caspian sea