Expert: Albania interested in deepening energy co-op with Azerbaijan

Albania is interested in deepening economic cooperation with Azerbaijan, especially in the energy sector, Shpendi Gashi, lecturer of geopolitics at the University of Tirana, told Report.

“Albania is a country with limited natural gas production, and the country is almost entirely dependent on hydropower for its electricity supply,” he noted.

“Thus, it is a desirable client for Azerbaijan, which manages to geostrategically extend its influence in the Balkan Peninsula.”

“It is known that the world has fundamentally divided into two fronts. With a giant like the Russian Federation, often aggressive towards other states, taken out of the game by the sanctions of the West, Azerbaijan knew how to appear as a reserve card in order not to deepen the energy crisis that was threatening the European states,” he added.

“Alliances are created on the basis of common interests. Europe and the Balkans need the energy interrupted by Russia. Azerbaijan needs a wider market.”

“Looking at the general level, the relations between our two states date back to the distant year 1993. More precisely, since September 22 of that year, almost 30 years ago. During these years we have cooperated in various fields such as: culture, trade, energy and security. Also, political contacts between Baku and Tirana are at a high level as Albania has always supported the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,” he said.