{"id":1919640,"date":"2026-05-05T16:25:43","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T13:25:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1919640"},"modified":"2026-05-05T16:25:43","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T13:25:43","slug":"eus-kallas-visits-baku-to-advance-strategic-partnership-with-azerbaijan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1919640","title":{"rendered":"EU&#8217;s Kallas visits Baku to advance &#8216;strategic partnership&#8217; with Azerbaijan"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/58\/11\/1200x675_cmsv2_887de602-302d-5499-bd7c-a003a7b00966-9745811.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2891494-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2891494\" data-cid=\"9747972\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891494-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" 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src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/78\/53\/189x106_cmsv2_9fe000c1-7fb9-5146-86ec-fd3bb6c621e7-9747853.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Smoke rises from a car service workshop destroyed by a Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia, 5 May, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Ukraine<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russia strikes Ukraine as Zelenskyy denounces Moscow&#8217;s &#8216;cynicism&#8217;\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891494-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2891494\" data-cid=\"9747972\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891494-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/79\/72\/189x106_cmsv2_1ca3b9bc-5aca-54bf-9f39-00802c76e6de-9747972.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The MV Hondius cruise ship is anchored at a port in Praia, 4 May, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hantavirus ship evacuees to be taken to Netherlands, operator says\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891371-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2891371\" data-cid=\"9747293\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891371-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/72\/93\/189x106_cmsv2_65b6df20-a76a-5598-921a-238bcbd67b80-9747293.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"An Emirati patrol boat, second from right, is near a tanker anchored in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz, near Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, Friday, 1 May, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    United Arab Emirates<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Gulf braces itself for potential escalation with Iran\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891442-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2891442\" data-cid=\"9747930\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891442-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/79\/30\/189x106_cmsv2_0269dda5-fab9-5424-8d3f-2fd02a589ff7-9747930.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Police officers stand at the entrance of an Ismaili Muslim centre in Lisbon, 28 March, 2023\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Portugal arrests further 15 police officers in rape and torture probe\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891475-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2891475\" data-cid=\"9747853\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891475-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/78\/53\/189x106_cmsv2_9fe000c1-7fb9-5146-86ec-fd3bb6c621e7-9747853.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Smoke rises from a car service workshop destroyed by a Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia, 5 May, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Ukraine<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russia strikes Ukraine as Zelenskyy denounces Moscow&#8217;s &#8216;cynicism&#8217;\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          News<\/p>\n<p>                          World<\/p>\n<p>                          Azerbaijan<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            EU&#8217;s Kallas visits Baku to advance &#8216;strategic partnership&#8217; with Azerbaijan<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/58\/11\/1536x864_cmsv2_887de602-302d-5499-bd7c-a003a7b00966-9745811.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (EEAS) Kaja Kallas in Baku, 5 May 2026\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (EEAS) Kaja Kallas in Baku, 5 May 2026<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Courtesy of Azertag<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Courtesy of Azertag\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspSaida Rustamova\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1777998343\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-05-05 18:25:43 +02:00\">05\/05\/2026 &#8211; 18:25 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span 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height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        The EU&#8217;s High Representative, Kaja Kallas, met Azerbaijan\u2019s leadership in Baku for talks to advance what she called \u201cour strategic interest\u201d in connectivity between the EU, the South Caucasus and Central Asia, and to contribute to the regional peace process.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>The EU\u2019s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas continued her South Caucasus tour in Baku by holding talks with Azerbaijan\u2019s President Ilham Aliyev, continuing political engagement and advancing key energy and connectivity projects between the EU and Azerbaijan amid the evolving global energy challenges.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Kallas travelled to Baku after attending the EU-Armenia summit in Yerevan, as the EU is currently engaging both Armenia and Azerbaijan in their peace process, as well as for the EU\u2019s political and economic engagement with the South Caucasus, as highlighted by EU Council president Antonio Costa\u2019s recent visit to Baku.<\/p>\n<p>Kallas mirrored Costa\u2019s recent statements in Baku by underlining that \u201cstrengthening connectivity between the EU, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia, is in our shared strategic interest and we are open to discuss a more structured partnership with Azerbaijan.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAzerbaijan is a valued and reliable energy partner for the European Union,\u201d Kallas said, adding that according to EU briefings, the talks covered the full scope of EU\u2013Azerbaijan relations, including trade, transport, digital cooperation and regional connectivity.<\/p>\n<p>The EU foreign policy chief said \u201cthere is clear scope to deepen our cooperation \u00bb and that the EU is ready to discuss a \u201cmore structured partnership,\u201d signalling openness to strengthening the framework of relations.<\/p>\n<p>The EEAS statement also noted that \u201cof course, open and candid dialogue on human rights remains an integral part of our engagement.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Peace process on the agenda<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>As part of the EU\u2019s parallel engagement with Armenia and Azerbaijan, Kallas called their evolving peace process \u201ca historic opportunity&#8221; and said that &#8220;it\u2019s important to sustain momentum.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The EU has a range of tools to support this, from supporting confidence-building measures to demining where we\u2019re already the biggest donor,\u201d Kallas added, as demining is a major challenge for both countries after decades of conflict.<\/p>\n<p>The EEAS chief travelled to Baku the day after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni&#8217;s visit, in a sign of Azerbaijan&#8217;s growing role in the EU&#8217;s energy security and trade routes as the war in Iran continues to disrupt the global supply routes, experts said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe EU High Representative&#8217;s visit is reflective of the strategic importance of Azerbaijan to the EU as the region stands as a reliable partner in trade routes, particularly given instability in traditional corridors, and its central role in the Middle Corridor,\u201d Azerbaijan political analyst Fuad Karimli told Euronews in Baku.<\/p>\n<p>The Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), is a transport network by rail and maritime routes connecting China and Southeast Asia, through Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Georgia, and onwards to Turkey and Europe. <\/p>\n<p>It is emerging as a strategic transit route between Asia and Europe and a strong Eurasian alternative amid global supply chain disruptions in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>Azerbaijan is a key transit hub for the Middle Corridor and following its historic peace with Armenia, both South Caucasus countries are expected to strengthen the Middle Corridor solution for global markets.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">EU reinforces cooperation with Azerbaijan on security and energy<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Italy\u2019s PM Meloni visits Baku to reinforce key energy links<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Meanwhile, analyst Zoltan Egeresi, a research fellow at Ludovika University in Hungary, described the visit as a signal of continued EU engagement in the region. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cKaja Kallas\u2019 visit, following her participation in the European Political Community summit, demonstrates the EU\u2019s commitment to Azerbaijan and its involvement in peace efforts between Azerbaijan and Armenia,\u201d Egeresi said. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cAzerbaijan has become an important partner in the South Caucasus and a gateway towards Central Asia, which has gained increasing importance in EU strategic planning,\u201d Egeresi added.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>&#8216;Strong signal of joint vision&#8217;<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>EU\u2013Azerbaijan relations are based on the 1999 Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and structured through the Eastern Partnership framework, which supports political dialogue and sectoral cooperation.<\/p>\n<p>During his recent visit to Baku, European Council President Antonio Costa said that Brussels and Baku are now working on a new framework for closer cooperation, intended to widen relations beyond their existing energy links.<\/p>\n<p>According to the European Council president&#8217;s statement at the time, the proposed framework would deepen cooperation in the fields of security, defence, energy, digital development and transport.<\/p>\n<p> \u201cThis sends a strong signal of our joint vision for the future,\u201d Costa said, underlining that \u201cenergy security is a cornerstone of the EU\u2019s cooperation with Azerbaijan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Diplomats survey Karabakh reconstruction as peace settles in <\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Global Baku Forum opens with Iran war raging across the border<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Newsletter: At first summit without Orb\u00e1n, Zelenskyy rejects &#8216;symbolic&#8217; EU membership<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Kaja Kallas<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European Union<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Azerbaijan<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2891397-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891397\" data-cid=\"9747488\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891397-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/74\/88\/320x180_cmsv2_60adca1e-196a-52a6-8b09-e9347b7278f3-9747488.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump speaks before signing a proclamation in the Oval Office at the White House, 5 May, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump urges Iran to &#8216;do the smart thing&#8217; and reach a peace deal<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2891378-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891378\" data-cid=\"9747350\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891378-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/73\/50\/320x180_cmsv2_f6441b3c-da22-53db-bb63-bfc96170708d-9747350.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Romanian lawmakers vote in parliament in Bucharest, 5 May, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Romania&#8217;s pro-EU coalition collapses after PM fails no-confidence vote<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2891475-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891475\" data-cid=\"9747853\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891475-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/78\/53\/320x180_cmsv2_9fe000c1-7fb9-5146-86ec-fd3bb6c621e7-9747853.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Smoke rises from a car service workshop destroyed by a Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia, 5 May, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div 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class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891397-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891397\" data-cid=\"9747488\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2891397-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" 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loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"The MV Hondius cruise ship is anchored at a port in Praia, 4 May, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hantavirus ship evacuees to be taken to Netherlands, operator says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891274-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891274\" data-cid=\"9746896\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran threatens European military bases amid Hormuz escalation<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891296-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891296\" data-cid=\"9746934\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    &#8216;A deal is a deal&#8217;: Von der Leyen hits back at Trump&#8217;s tariff threat<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891112-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891112\" data-cid=\"9746053\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Dubai residents take shelter as UAE intercepts Iranian strike<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891207-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891207\" data-cid=\"9746546\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    This is what we know about the man arrested for killing two in Leipzig<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2891189-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2891189\" data-cid=\"9746431\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russia declares Victory Day ceasefire while Zelenskyy tables own truce<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">The EU\u2019s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas continued her South Caucasus tour in Baku by holding talks with Azerbaijan\u2019s President Ilham Aliyev, continuing political engagement and advancing key energy and connectivity projects between the EU and Azerbaijan amid the evolving global energy challenges.Kallas travelled to Baku after attending the EU-Armenia summit in Yerevan, as the EU is currently engaging both Armenia and Azerbaijan in their peace process, as well as for the EU\u2019s political and economic engagement with the South Caucasus, as highlighted by EU Council president Antonio Costa\u2019s recent visit to Baku.Kallas mirrored Costa\u2019s recent statements in Baku by underlining that \u201cstrengthening connectivity between the EU, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia, is in our shared strategic interest and we are open to discuss a more structured partnership with Azerbaijan.&#8221;\u201cAzerbaijan is a valued and reliable energy partner for the European Union,\u201d Kallas said, adding that according to EU briefings, the talks covered the full scope of EU\u2013Azerbaijan relations, including trade, transport, digital cooperation and regional connectivity.The EU foreign policy chief said \u201cthere is clear scope to deepen our cooperation\u00a0\u00bb and that the EU is ready to discuss a \u201cmore structured partnership,\u201d signalling openness to strengthening the framework of relations.The EEAS statement also noted that \u201cof course, open and candid dialogue on human rights remains an integral part of our engagement.&#8221;Peace process on the agendaAs part of the EU\u2019s parallel engagement with Armenia and Azerbaijan,\u00a0Kallas called their evolving peace process \u201ca historic opportunity&#8221; and said that &#8220;it\u2019s important to sustain momentum.&#8221;&#8221;The EU has a range of tools to support this, from supporting confidence-building measures to demining where we\u2019re already the biggest donor,\u201d Kallas added, as demining is a major challenge for both countries after decades of conflict.The EEAS chief travelled to Baku the day after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni&#8217;s visit, in a sign of Azerbaijan&#8217;s growing role in the EU&#8217;s energy security and trade routes as the war in Iran continues to disrupt the global supply routes, experts said.\u201cThe EU High Representative&#8217;s visit is reflective of the strategic importance of Azerbaijan to the EU as the region stands as a reliable partner in trade routes, particularly given instability in traditional corridors, and its central role in the Middle Corridor,\u201d Azerbaijan political analyst Fuad Karimli told Euronews in Baku.The Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), is a transport network by rail and maritime routes connecting China and Southeast Asia, through Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Georgia, and onwards to Turkey and Europe.It is emerging as a strategic transit route between Asia and Europe and a strong Eurasian alternative amid global supply chain disruptions in the Middle East.Azerbaijan is a key transit hub for the Middle Corridor and following its historic peace with Armenia, both South Caucasus countries are expected to strengthen the Middle Corridor solution for global markets.Meanwhile, analyst Zoltan Egeresi, a research fellow at Ludovika University in Hungary, described the visit as a signal of continued EU engagement in the region.\u201cKaja Kallas\u2019 visit, following her participation in the European Political Community summit, demonstrates the EU\u2019s commitment to Azerbaijan and its involvement in peace efforts between Azerbaijan and Armenia,\u201d Egeresi said.\u201cAzerbaijan has become an important partner in the South Caucasus and a gateway towards Central Asia, which has gained increasing importance in EU strategic planning,\u201d Egeresi added.&#8217;Strong signal of joint vision&#8217;EU\u2013Azerbaijan relations are based on the 1999 Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and structured through the Eastern Partnership framework, which supports political dialogue and sectoral cooperation.During his recent visit to Baku, European Council President Antonio Costa said that Brussels and Baku are now working on a new framework for closer cooperation, intended to widen relations beyond their existing energy links.According to the European Council president&#8217;s statement at the time, the proposed framework would deepen cooperation in the fields of security, defence, energy, digital development and transport.\u00a0\u201cThis sends a strong signal of our joint vision for the future,\u201d Costa said, underlining that \u201cenergy security is a cornerstone of the EU\u2019s cooperation with Azerbaijan.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/05\/05\/eus-kallas-visits-baku-to-advance-strategic-partnership-with-azerbaijan&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/74\/58\/11\/1200x675_cmsv2_887de602-302d-5499-bd7c-a003a7b00966-9745811.jpg&#8221;] Health news Hantavirus ship evacuees to be taken to Netherlands, operator says United Arab Emirates Gulf braces itself for potential escalation with Iran Europe News Portugal arrests further 15 police officers in rape and torture probe Ukraine Russia strikes Ukraine as Zelenskyy denounces Moscow&#8217;s &#8216;cynicism&#8217; Health news Hantavirus ship evacuees to be 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