details added (first version posted on 11:09)
Baku, Azerbaijan, June 3
By Seymur Aliyev - Trend:
The project of transporting Azerbaijani gas to Europe - Southern Gas Corridor is a vital project for Europe, British Prime Minister David Cameron said, addressing the 21st International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition.
The PM was not present at the exhibition, while his message was read out by Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan Charles Hendry.
"Energy is vital for the economic well-being and development for all the Europeans," Cameron's message said. "That is why the Southern Gas Corridor is an important project."
Cameron noted in his message that 2013 was the key year for the corridor with major progress achieved on the Trans-Adriatic pipeline.
"This is a huge milestone for the project's implementation. I congratulate all who worked hard to achieve it," Cameron said. "But much should be done in 2014 to realize the full ambition of the Southern Gas Corridor," he said. "I am confident that this ambition will be achieved."
Cameron expressed hope that the project will provide further source of energy for Europe for many years to come.
With regards to Azerbaijani-UK relations, Cameron said that the two countries have established strong relationship.
"Commercial links are the major foundation of the relationship with UK companies like BP, being the larger source of foreign direct investments especially in the oil and gas sector," Cameron's message said.
The 21st Caspian International Oil & Gas Exhibition, the largest event in the energy sector of the Caspian region, is taking place between June 3 and June 6 at the Baku Expo Center.
Every year, Caspian International Oil & Gas Exhibition gathers leading specialists and leading enterprises in the oil and gas industry to demonstrate advanced technologies for the extraction and processing of oil and gas, transportation and logistics, as well as industry related services.
The exhibition offers an opportunity to discuss trends in the development of the oil and gas market, potential prospects for cooperation in the Caspian region and the development of solutions for energy security issues around the world.
Some 402 companies from 29 countries present their products and services at the exhibition. Famous companies from around the world attend the exhibition. These companies include those which were involved in the Contract of the Century - State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR), BP, Statoil, OMV, TPAO, Lukoil and many others.
Local companies comprise 35 percent of the total number of exhibitors, while the total growth of the exhibition has reached 10 percent.
The four day exhibition will also feature a substantial business program. Over 500 delegates from more than 30 countries will take part in the annual conference.
More than 50 representatives of state bodies, leading experts in the oil and gas industry and chief executives of major oil and gas companies from different countries are participating in the exhibition.