Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 30
Trend:
If Azerbaijan hadn’t put forward its leadership qualities with regard to the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), the project would have never been implemented, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has said.
He made the remarks addressing a conference dedicated to the results of third year implementation of ‘The State Program on Socio-Economic Development of the Regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2014-2018’ in Baku Jan. 30.
Over the years, Azerbaijan has implemented huge projects that ensure the country’s strategic interests, said President Aliyev.
“The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline was commissioned in 2006 and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline – in 2007. It is impossible now to imagine our country and region without these projects. These projects have not only strengthened our country, but they also bring benefit to our people,” said President Aliyev.
Meanwhile, these projects bring benefit to the region’s countries, deepen regional cooperation, strengthen stability in the region and, of course, make it clear that Azerbaijan has leadership qualities in this area, noted the president.
“We have implemented without any problems, any obstacles the projects that seem as legends for some, despite the fact that there were many forces that wanted to create problems for us and hinder those projects. They failed, because we have demonstrated a strong political will and reached strategic objectives with a sound and very clear policy,” added President Aliyev.
He reminded that Azerbaijan is today implementing a new global project – the Southern Gas Corridor – which is being realized successfully.
“I have participated in nearly 10 international conferences and events regarding this project. I, of course, had my say and made my proposals at those events. I told there concretely what should be done. We decided that we ourselves will do it together with the friendly neighboring countries, and we are doing it. At the time, the organizers of those symposiums and conferences joined us. Of course, this is also reasonable and we welcome this,” said President Aliyev.
“I would like to say again that the Southern Gas Corridor is being implemented thanks to Azerbaijan’s leadership. This can be confirmed by everyone who is familiar with all this work. It is no coincidence that this was stated in the final document of the 2nd Advisory Council of the Southern Gas Corridor held in Baku in February 2016. Azerbaijan is the leader and plays a major role here,” added the president.
He said the SGC will, of course, ensure Azerbaijan’s long-term interests.
“The country will have large financial resources, regional cooperation and energy security will boost after the project’s implementation,” said President Aliyev.