Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov.21
Trend:
The 2nd Azerbaijan & Caspian Sea Oil & Gas Week 2014 took place in Baku on 20-21 November. This is the leading forum assessing the latest development in upstream, midstream and downstream projects in the region's booming oil and gas industry. The event gathered together oil and gas professional and academicians from the region.
While talking about the critical energy infrastructure aspect of energy security in the region, Bakhtiyar Aslanbayli, lecturer of Baku State University, underlined the importance of regional and international cooperation for protection of existing energy infrastructure in the region.
Aslanbayli reminded about potential geopolitical issues and security challenges that Azerbaijan may face because of its significant political and financial role in realization of Southern Gas Corridor. Those challenges could impact, directly or indirectly, the situation around the protection of critical energy infrastructure in the region, and subsequently, the transportation of Caspian energy resources to the consumers in Europe.
In order to address potential geopolitical issues and maintain sustainable transportation of energy resources, Aslanbayli called European international organizations to pay more attention to the geopolitical developments in the South Caucasus and demonstrate a consistent approach towards all existing issues of similar nature. He believes that such a ground principle of international affairs as principle of territorial integrity can't be undermined and should be consistently prioritized by the European organizations. Because this principle is the key one for the long term stability in the region and for mitigation of potential threats and challenges for transportation of energy resources to Europe.
Aslanbayli also suggested to upgrade the level of protection of critical energy infrastructure in Azerbaijan and Georgia to higher level, by examining opportunities for increased cooperation with NATO. Expert shared his practical suggestions and action plan with the participants.