On October 1, Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev met with a visiting delegation of the Council of the European Union's Working Party on Eastern Europe and Central Asia (COEST).

The meeting focused on the current state and development prospects of Azerbaijan-EU relations, Partnership Priorities, negotiations on a new bilateral agreement, energy and transport connectivity, climate cooperation, as well as regional issues.

The deputy minister noted the recent intensification of high-level contacts between Azerbaijan and the EU, as well as the expansion of cooperation in energy, trade, and connectivity. Highlighting the growing importance of the Middle Corridor, he provided information on Azerbaijan's efforts to develop its transport and logistics infrastructure, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, the Port of Baku, and projects implemented in the liberated territories.

Touching upon energy cooperation, Rafiyev highlighted Azerbaijan's contribution to Europe's energy security, prospects for expanding natural gas supplies, and ongoing projects in the field of renewable energy.

During an exchange of views on the Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization process, the delegation was briefed on the progress made since the Washington summit, Azerbaijan's peace agenda, and steps taken toward confidence-building.

The deputy minister also answered numerous questions from the delegation during the meeting.