Baku seeks to widen its contacts in Balkans

Subject

Azerbaijan's rising profile in South-eastern Europe, both as hydrocarbons supplier and source of investment.

Significance

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic's visit to Baku on April 13-15 to promote Azerbaijani investment in strategic infrastructure, agriculture and the chemicals industry is only the latest in a series of contacts. Relations with Azerbaijan are principally about the delivery and transit of gas, with the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) coming on stream in 2019-20. However, Balkan countries are increasingly looking to Baku as a source of foreign investment and an export destination.

Impacts

• Balkan countries will be key for the transit of Caspian gas to the EU.
• Azerbaijan will continue working with them, in order to diversify its diplomatic and economic relations.
• In a region still suffering prolonged recession, governments will scramble to build and capitalise on ties with Baku.