Czech PM confirms interest in buying Azerbaijani gas

BAKU. Nov 12 (Interfax) - The Czech Republic is interested in natural gas supplies from Azerbaijan as part of the diversification of energy supply sources, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis told journalists in Dublin.

"There is an interest in gas from Azerbaijan, as we must be prepared for various scenarios and have as many gas supply sources as possible," Azerbaijan's Report news agency quoted Babis as saying.

The Czech Republic cannot afford to depend on a limited number of energy suppliers, he said. Babis also mentioned recent contacts with Algeria, and said the Czech Republic managed to increase the volume of gas supplies from this country.

"Sources are limited, so we cannot afford to depend on only a small number of suppliers," he said.

The Czech Republic is looking to sign a deal with Azerbaijan to buy up to 2 bcm of gas per year, with deliveries potentially beginning between 2028 and 2029, Czech Industry and Trade Minister Karel Havlicek said in April.

The Czech Republic says it boosted gas consumption 6.5% to 7.2 bcm in 2025.

Azerbaijan exported 25.2 bcm of gas in 2025, as much as in 2024. Last year, Azerbaijani gas exports to Europe amounted to 12.8 bcm. Azerbaijan started to export gas to Europe on December 31, 2020.