During his U.S. visit, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov addressed an event at George Washington University commemorating the 22nd anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev’s passing.
Shahbazov highlighted Heydar Aliyev’s pivotal role in forging strong U.S.-Azerbaijan ties, particularly through the 1994 “Contract of the Century,” which kickstarted American involvement in Caspian energy development and led to key projects like Baku-Supsa, Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, and the Southern Gas Corridor.
He noted that under Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Donald Trump, bilateral relations are deepening, ushering in a new strategic phase for energy cooperation.
The event featured Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Khazar Ibrahim, ADA University Rector Hafiz Pashayev, and MP Samad Seyidov, head of the Azerbaijan-U.S. Interparliamentary Working Group. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation also screened the film “Trace.”
Shahbazov held separate meetings with U.S. House representatives Michael Cloud and Dan Newhouse, discussing the enduring impact of legacy projects on regional energy security. He praised President Trump’s decisive support for the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline and highlighted new opportunities from the “Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity” Memorandum and Strategic Partnership Charter.
The talks emphasized regional interconnectors linking Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Central Asia, and Europe as vital to strategic ties.
In discussions with U.S. Chamber of Commerce Vice President Jennifer Miel and leading energy firms, Shahbazov outlined President Aliyev’s vision for Azerbaijan’s continued global energy role through electricity, renewables, and hydrogen. The Chamber expressed strong interest in deeper collaboration, announcing a delegation visit to Azerbaijan in February 2026 with energy cooperation as a top priority.
https://renewables.az/en/news/parviz-shahbazov-azerbaijan-us-energy-partnership-enters-new-strategic-phase