President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen is set to visit Azerbaijan on July 1 in a trip expected to focus on energy cooperation, regional connectivity, and the future of EU-Azerbaijan relations.

The visit will mark von der Leyen’s first trip to Baku since July 2022, when the European Union and Azerbaijan signed a landmark strategic energy partnership agreement, The Caspian Post reports via Report.

During the visit, discussions are expected to cover the current state and future prospects of relations between the European Union and Azerbaijan, cooperation in the energy sector, and key regional developments.

The trip comes as Brussels seeks to strengthen transport, energy, and digital links across the South Caucasus and countries along the Middle Corridor, a rapidly growing trade route connecting Europe and Asia.

Von der Leyen will be accompanied by European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, underscoring the strategic importance the European Union places on engagement with the region.

The previous visit by the European Commission president resulted in the signing of a strategic energy memorandum that paved the way for increased supplies of Azerbaijani natural gas to EU member states. The upcoming talks are expected to build on that cooperation while exploring new opportunities in transport, connectivity, and regional economic development.