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

The draft memorandum of understanding, which requires the approval of the respective governments and could be amended, is part of the European Union's efforts to reduce dependence on Russian gas.

"The Sides aspire to support bilateral trade of natural gas, including through exports to the European Union, via the Southern Gas Corridor, of at least 20 billion cubic metres of gas annually by 2027, in accordance with commercial viability and market demand," said the document, dated July 11.

European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson is to visit Azerbaijan at the end of this month.

The Trans Adriatic Pipeline, the last leg of the Southern Gas Corridor pipeline network, delivered more than 8 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas to European countries such as Italy last year.

The draft states that both sides will encourage funding for the expansion of this network to increase supplies to Europe, such investments should be able to transport low-carbon gases in the future to avoid emissions that cause a warming planet.

Increased supplies will also require Azerbaijan to expand its own gas production.

The draft highlighted the importance of "long-term, predictable and stable contracts" to provide security to gas producers. But it also said future gas contracts would need to align with the EU's climate change targets, which according to Brussels will require gas use to plummet, particularly after 2030.

Both sides should step up action to curb emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, in their supply chains, including through incentives to collect gas that would otherwise enter the atmosphere.

Concerns about further cuts in Russian gas supplies intensified this week after the start of planned repairs to the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which carries gas to Germany. Europe believes that Moscow may extend the shutdown.

The draft agreement says the EU and Azerbaijan will also study the development of interconnections and discuss future hydrogen trade.