Azerbaijan, Baku, June 10 / Trend /
If Armenia changes its stance with regards to the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, the supply of Azerbaijani gas to the country may be considered, SOCAR said on Monday.
The statement noted that the unconstructive position of Armenia, which is in conflict with Azerbaijan, has led the Armenian people to a pitiable state.
"Azerbaijan has a rightful place among the exporters of natural gas. Today, Azerbaijan plays an important role in providing gas to Georgia and Turkey and is working intensively with the European Union for the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor project, which plays an important role from the point of view of strengthening the energy security of Europe," the statement said.
The statement says the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline project (TANAP) proposed by Azerbaijan has attracted the attention of the international community as an important element of the Southern Gas Corridor. The first successful steps have been made in this direction in terms of effective cooperation of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan with Turkish companies.
"The Shah Deniz Consortium is about to make a final decision within the concept of the EU energy security on the pipeline route through which gas will be transported to these countries," the statement said.
From a geographical point of view, Armenia is a neighbor of Azerbaijan, SOCAR's statement said. Azerbaijan always lived in peace and prosperity in this geographical area and demonstrated this in the world throughout the history. But Armenia chose the way of separatism and aggressive nationalism, used the policy of aggression and occupation. It occupied a significant part of Azerbaijani ancestral lands. As a result, more than one million Azerbaijanis were forced to leave their homes. While ignoring the international law, the Armenian government does not hesitate to show that it is not going to liberate the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
"Thus, Armenia is against the vital interests of its people, hinders social and economic development of the country, as well as in the whole region," SOCAR said. "If Armenia changes its position on the occupied territories, stands for resolving the conflict peacefully, through talks and within the Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, it may be involved in regional and global energy projects."