Details added (first version posted on 15:05)
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 6
By Maksim Tsurkov – Trend:
Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Natig Aliyev noted the importance of the United States’ representation at a high level at the 3rd consultative council of ministers on the Southern Gas Corridor project in order to give political support to the project, the Azerbaijani Energy Ministry said in a message Dec. 6.
Aliyev made the remarks during his meeting with William Silkworth, office director at Bureau of Energy Resources of the US State Department, according to the message.
During the meeting, the US side expressed interest in Azerbaijan’s position on the eve of the OPEC meeting in Vienna.
The minister noted that Azerbaijan will join the process aimed at stabilization of prices on oil market and won’t increase oil production and export.
Azerbaijan calls on other oil producing countries to take such steps and support consultations held by OPEC, said Aliyev, adding that the country considers OPEC’s meeting with non-OPEC countries to be important.
He noted that this meeting will be important in terms of studying the situation in non-OPEC countries.
“I think that harmony and unity are needed within the cartel, as well as among non-OPEC countries for sustainable stability and long-term increase in oil prices,” said Aliyev. “If the interests of all parties coincide, it will be possible to achieve the determination of the oil price, beneficial for all, by the process of price regulation, and ensuring durability of agreements.”
The two sides also discussed the termination of the deal for the sale of 66-percent stake in Greek gas grid operator DESFA by Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR and the impact, which the referendum in Italy can have on the implementation of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline’s (TAP) construction project.
The minister expressed satisfaction with the implementation process of the Shah Deniz-2 project and projects on expansion of the South Caucasus gas pipeline and Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP).
The parties also discussed the negotiation process on the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline project and prospects of the US-Azerbaijan cooperation in the energy security sphere.
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