What happened
Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia and Türkiye signed an intergovernmental agreement on strategic cooperation in clean energy at COP31 in Antalya. The signatories were Türkiye’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov, Bulgaria’s Energy Minister Iva Petrova, and Georgia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Mariam Kvrivishvili.
The agreement sets a framework for work intended to bring electricity generated from clean sources to European markets through Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye and Bulgaria. Its scope includes the development of cross-border electricity transmission, distribution and trading.
The four countries also plan to establish the technical, commercial and regulatory conditions required for secure, dependable and continuous electricity transfers. Work to support integration between their power systems is included.
Why it matters
The arrangement outlines a potential route between clean-power generation in the South Caucasus and European buyers. The stated objectives include expanding trade in clean electricity, diversifying energy sources and reinforcing regional energy-supply security.
It remains a cooperation agreement rather than evidence of completed infrastructure or electricity deliveries. Its practical effect will depend on the countries’ ability to align grid connections, market arrangements and rules for moving power across borders.
For energy-market participants, the next material developments will be the technical, commercial and regulatory measures produced under the agreement, particularly those relating to grid integration and cross-border trade.
Supporting infrastructure
The project also contemplates stronger communications and data transfer through fibre-optic cables. According to the agreement’s stated scope, this infrastructure would support the delivery of energy services.
Background and next steps
Bayraktar said cooperation began in 2024 and was advanced by a memorandum signed in Baku in April 2025. The Antalya agreement places that earlier work within an intergovernmental framework.
The signatories are expected to continue work on the conditions needed for the proposed electricity corridor, including measures related to interconnection of their grids and the movement of clean power between jurisdictions.
