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Azerbaijan looking for increased EU support for Southern Gas Corridor realization

Oil&Gas Materials 22 May 2015 18:33 (UTC +04:00)
Azerbaijan is looking forward to increased support of the EU to the realization of the Southern Gas Corridor
Azerbaijan looking for increased EU support for Southern Gas Corridor realization

Baku, Azerbaijan, May 22

Trend:

Azerbaijan is looking forward to increased support of the EU to the realization of the Southern Gas Corridor, which will bring new volumes from new sources, said Elmar Mammadyarov, the minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan.

Mammadyarov made the remarks at the 4th Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga, Latvia.

Further speaking on the Southern Gas Corridor, Mammadyarov said it will benefit the EU, as the project will serve the overarching aim of the Energy Union through which the EU wants to ensure a secure, reliable and uninterrupted energy for its citizens.

Mammadyarov went on to add that successful cooperation in the field of energy has enormous potential to guide both Azerbaijan and the EU to upgrade bilateral contractual relations to strategic level.

"The growing number of strategic partner countries in the EU is an inspiration and strong incentive in this regard," he said.

Mammadyarov said strategic partnership in the field of energy evolves remarkably especially thanks to numerous joint initiatives spearheaded by Azerbaijan in the margins of the realization of the Southern Gas Corridor.

"The groundbreaking ceremonies of the Southern Gas Corridor in Baku followed by similar event for TANAP in Kars, Turkey was a leap forward in tackling infrastructure related issues," he said.

The Southern Gas Corridor project envisages transportation of gas from the Caspian region through Georgia and Turkey to Europe. It aims at diversifying the routes and sources of energy supply that will enhance the energy security of Europe. The Southern Gas Corridor project will ensure Caspian gas supply to the European markets for the first time in history. At the initial stage, the gas to be produced as part of the second phase of development of Azerbaijani gas condensate Shah Deniz field is considered as the main source for the project.

Regarding the geo-strategic Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad project, Azerbaijani minister said it should start operations in 2015.

Mammadyarov reminded that this railroad connects the railway network of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, saying it was initiated four years ago by Azerbaijan.

"This corridor will open enormous opportunities for development through connection Europe and Asia via South Caucasus and Central Asia region," he said.

Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is being financed by State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ). The peak capacity of the corridor will be 17 million metric tons of cargo per year. At the initial stage, this figure will be equal to one million passengers and 6.5 million metric tons of cargo.

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