The EU is turning to "more reliable energy suppliers" by signing a new agreement with Azerbaijan, president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said Monday, July 18.

"Our goal: double the gas delivery from Azerbaijan to the EU in a few years," the politician said, adding that Azerbaijan would be a "crucial" partner for the EU's security of supply and on our way to climate neutrality.

Reuters reported earlier that the European Commission has proposed to EU countries a deal with Azerbaijan to increase imports of natural gas and support the expansion of a pipeline to do this.