The process of filling gas storage facilities has begun in the EU countries. The heating season has recently ended, and all efforts are being made to build up reserves.

According to Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE), as of mid-April, underground gas storage facilities are filled by almost 30 percent (more than 32 billion cubic meters). According to the requirements of the European Commission, from October 1 to December 1, the gas storage facilities of the member states must be filled by 90 percent.

The process is underway despite the increased gas prices due to the war in the Middle East and the struggle for LNG. It was previously predicted that by next winter, the European Union would not be able to fill its storage facilities by 70 percent, but the current pace shows that Europe is making progress in diversifying its energy supply sources.

One of these sources is Azerbaijan, which has already proved its indispensability.

In January-March 2026, Azerbaijani gas exports reached 6.5 billion cubic meters. Of these, 3 billion cubic meters went to Europe. On the scale of European purchases as a whole, this may seem like an insignificant figure, however, European countries are increasingly looking towards the South Caucasus as a source of their energy security. Because cooperation with Baku implies reliability and stability and is not influenced by the political situation. In other words, by buying fuel from Azerbaijan, European partners receive it without a burden in the form of politics. Of course, for Azerbaijan itself, oil and gas exports mean, in addition to income, strengthening its place in the international arena, promoting interests, and expanding support for Baku's position in Europe on various issues. These are the goals, not the conditions of the business conducted by Azerbaijan. And it can be stated that almost all of them have been achieved. Moreover, without any damage or inconvenience to importers. Baku builds its relations with its partners, taking into account their interests. Therefore, more and more European countries are definitely considering cooperation with Azerbaijan in their energy plans.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will arrive in Baku in May to participate in the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13). The other day, the Serbian leader called President Ilham Aliyev. The heads of state exchanged views on further strengthening bilateral relations, discussed plans related to deepening economic cooperation, developing cooperation in the energy and investment sectors, and new joint projects of strategic importance for both countries.

A week earlier, Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Jedovic-Handanovic visited Baku. In an interview with reporters, she noted that after the commissioning of the Serbia-Bulgaria interconnector, this country has been importing Azerbaijani gas for the third year and is building a gas-fired power plant in Nis in parallel with the Azerbaijani side. In three years, the volume of supplies has doubled, reaching 2 million cubic meters per day in 2025. An increase in supplies is being discussed.

Azerbaijan is currently Serbia's key partner in diversifying energy supplies. The agreement between SOCAR and Srbijagas provides for the supply of up to 400 million cubic meters of gas per year for the period 2024-2026. In April, the parties extended the gas supply contract until the end of 2026. In the future, an increase in imports to 1 billion cubic meters per year is being discussed. To this end, Belgrade is considering the construction of new interconnectors through Northern Macedonia and Greece.

During his February visit to Belgrade, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that relations between the two countries in the energy sector are currently developing in a multidisciplinary format. "Some time ago we started exporting natural gas to Serbia and today we decided to increase our export volumes. Now we will also be engaged in the transformation of gas exported to Serbia, which will allow us to obtain additional amounts of clean electricity. This will create opportunities both for the Serbian market and for future exports," the head of state stressed.

The Azerbaijani President spoke about a gas-fired power plant with a capacity of 350 MW of electric and 150 MW of thermal energy, which is being built with the assistance of the Azerbaijani side near the Serbian city of Nis. In February, Azerbaijan and Serbia signed a corresponding agreement. The project will be implemented by a joint venture created by the state-owned Serbian electric power company Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS), the state-owned gas supplier Srbijagas and the Azerbaijani State Oil company SOCAR.

After signing the agreement, Minister of Energy Dubravka Djedovic-Handanovic stressed that Azerbaijan has become Serbia's first partner in diversifying gas supplies, which, in her words, will further ensure the long-term stability of the country's energy system.

Recently, information appeared in the European media about the upcoming visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgi Meloni to Azerbaijan in May and June. Energy is one of the main components of Italian-Azerbaijani relations.

Luca Schieppati, Managing Director of TAP (Trans-Adriatic Pipeline), said that since the beginning of commercial operation, more than 47.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas have been delivered to Italy via the pipeline. He also noted that more than 57 billion cubic meters of gas were supplied across Europe through TAP, which contributes to the diversification of supply routes and increases the sustainability of the European gas system. Moreover, Italy is the main destination for Azerbaijani gas supplies through TAP and an important entry point for pipeline supplies to the European market.

According to the Italian company Snam SpA, in 2025, gas transported through TAP accounted for about 16.5 percent of Italy's total gas imports and about 25 percent of pipeline gas imports excluding LNG. An upgrade was recently carried out at the compressor station in Greece, which increased the system's capacity by 1.2 billion cubic meters per year.

Azerbaijan's policy is to supply its energy resources to as many countries as possible. Today, our country surpasses many major suppliers among gas exporters in this indicator. In mid-January, deliveries began to Western Europe - to Germany and Austria. Azerbaijani gas enters Europe via TAP, passes through Greece and Albania to southern Italy. And from there to Austria and Germany. In June 2025, SOCAR signed a ten-year contract with the German energy holding Sefe for the supply of 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas per year.

Slovenia is also considering the possibility of diversifying gas supplies at the expense of Azerbaijani fuel, as Bojan Kumer, the country's Minister of Environment, Climate and Energy, said in an interview with Trend. According to him, Slovenia is in the process of diversifying sources and routes of energy supplies, and Azerbaijan is part of this process.

In December 2025, the Hungarian company MVM and SOCAR signed a two-year agreement providing for the possibility of Hungary purchasing up to 0.8 billion cubic meters of gas on request in 2026-2027. Earlier, the Czech Republic officially announced its interest in Azerbaijani gas. Today, Azerbaijan is one of the largest oil suppliers to this country, and now the possibilities of expanding energy cooperation to include Caspian gas are being considered.

Commercial supplies of Azerbaijani gas to Europe began on December 31, 2020. In less than six years, Azerbaijan has managed to earn itself the image of a reliable supplier and an honest partner. Now, having recovered from the shock, European countries are looking for sources that are not burdened by the political situation and are not dependent on geopolitical vicissitudes. Azerbaijan is the best alternative in this regard.