Azerbaijani Deputy Energy Minister Orkhan Zeynalov has said that Azerbaijan plans to increase gas deliveries to Serbia to 1 billion cubic meters per year starting in 2026.

Zeynalov explained that a 2023 intergovernmental agreement allowed Azerbaijan to supply up to 400 million cubic meters annually to Serbia until 2026, The Caspian Post reports via the Serbian weekly NIN.

He stressed that Serbia, as the largest country in the Western Balkans, is seen by Baku as a key regional hub for gas, energy, and electricity.

“In the energy sector, we have three important agreements, two signed at the ministry level. One establishes the general regulatory framework for cooperation in oil, gas, and electricity, while the recently signed agreement focuses on green energy collaboration. SOCAR is actively negotiating with partners in Belgrade, and the project agreement is almost ready for signing,” he said.

Zeynalov estimates that by the end of this year or early next year, Azerbaijan will be able to cover 15-20% of Serbia’s total gas demand. “Annual gas consumption in Serbia is about 2.63 billion cubic meters, of which around 2.2 billion is imported. Under the new project, Azerbaijan could supply up to 20% of the domestic gas market. This is a crucial step directly supporting diversification of supply sources - a key element of energy security,” he added.