11:49 - 1.05.2026

---

May 1, Fineko/abc.az. Azerbaijani Finance Minister Sahil Babayev received a delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development headed by Elizabeth Falchetti, Executive Director for Turkey and the South Caucasus.

ABC.AZ informs that according to the Finance Ministry, during the meeting, prospects for expanding cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EBRD, the current status of ongoing projects and future initiatives were discussed.

To date, the EBRD has invested €3.712 bn in Azerbaijan for 202 projects. The bank's current portfolio in the country amounts to €898 million, a significant part of which accounted for the private sector.

Touching upon the progress of infrastructure projects in Ganja with the support of the EBRD, the minister emphasized the strategic importance of the water supply and sewerage project, stressed the importance of phased realization of projects and financing in accordance with the schedule.

In turn, Falchetti expressed satisfaction with development of cooperation with Azerbaijan and stated EBRD's readiness to continue joint initiatives to support the private sector, expand green financing tools and develop sustainable infrastructure.

During the meeting, the sides also exchanged views on the water supply and sanitation project for the city of Shaki, as well as on initiatives envisaged within the Greater Baku–Absheron Water Program.

The parties stressed the importance of considering debt sustainability, executive capacity and balanced risk allocation as the main criteria for evaluating new projects, as well as the importance of joint use of credit, grant and technical assistance tools.