Cristina Lobillo Borrero: Azerbaijan shining example of reliable partner

Azerbaijan is a shining example of a reliable partner both in gas supplies and in the development of renewable energy sources, Cristina Lobillo Borrero, director of the Task Force for the Energy Platform and International Relations of the Directorate-General for Energy of the European Commission, said during the 30th Anniversary Baku Energy Forum, as quoted by Report.

According to her, the European Union remains firmly committed to the energy transition, though the share of fossil fuels in the energy balance of EU countries still exceeds 60%.

"However, last year, for the first time in history, the share of renewable sources in electricity production reached 50%. This is a landmark result, and we continue to work to strengthen it. We believe that, perhaps more than ever, the most important principle for the European Union and for all countries of the world is energy security," said Borrero.

She stressed that in the current conditions, energy security has become key: "Today, energy security is increasingly determined by geopolitical factors. Therefore, international cooperation is becoming the most important element in achieving sustainability. In this context, Azerbaijan occupies a special place as a reliable partner."

Borrero also noted that the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in her speeches focuses on the need to increase the production of domestic, local energy in the EU.

"This is a strategic choice for the European Union. We already have a regulatory framework in place for the period up to 2030, and now we are developing a long-term framework for 2040 and 2050 aimed at achieving climate neutrality," she explained.

According to Borrero, along this path, it is also necessary to strengthen the competitiveness of European industry and ensure the availability of energy for consumers.

"This is a complex and long-term process, and it is in such conditions that a reliable partnership acquires special significance. Azerbaijan is a shining example of sustainable cooperation, both in the sphere of gas supplies and in the development of renewable energy sources. We are working very intensively together in these areas," she emphasized.