Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan.17 /Trend E..Ismayilov/
The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) continues to consider the possibility of participation in the privatization of Greece's company DEPA, the head of SOCAR Rovnag Abdullaev told reporters on Tuesday.
Abdullayev noted that not the whole company, but its individual subdivisions are put up for privatization and so it requires more time to study the effectiveness of the acquisition.
"Acquisition of such assets requires carefully consideration" Abdullaev said.
DEPA is a shareholder in the ITGI project, which among other projects of the Southern Gas Corridor - Nabucco and TAP, has been fighting for the possibility of transporting Azerbaijani gas from Shah Deniz to Europe. Currently, members of Shah Deniz consortium consider proposals on pipeline projects to determine the export route.
The Greek government approved the privatization program on May 23, 2011, which should bring about 50 billion euros into the treasury of the country by 2015. The adoption of this program is one of the conditions of international donors (EU and IMF) for further credit support of the country.
From 55 to 90 percent stake in DEPA can be put up for privatization.
The Southern Gas Corridor is a priority EU energy project diversifying energy supply routes and sources and increasing security. It includes the Nabucco gas pipeline, TAP and ITGI (Turkey-Greece-Italy pipeline).