Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 16 / Trend /
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev presided over a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on Tuesday to discuss the outcomes of the country's socioeconomic development in 2012, and outline priorities for 2013.
President Aliyev noted that last year Azerbaijan achieved great success in the energy field.
He said a very important historical event took place last year - the foundation of the TANAP project was laid.
"This project was initiated by Azerbaijan. We have also undertaken the largest financial burden. In addition, Azerbaijan has assumed all the risks, all the technical risks. I can say, Azerbaijan has become the initiator of all ongoing projects in the region," President Aliyev said.
The Head of State noted it is no coincidence that Azerbaijan is indicated as very important and crucial partner in this area in the documents signed between the European Union and Azerbaijan.
"I am very happy that in a short time, the TANAP project got a great support in the world. Leading world countries unequivocally supported our initiative. International organizations also supported our position to the same extent," the President underscored.
He said Azerbaijan has a strong will, technical capacity and financial resources to implement this project.
"Today, financial institutions perhaps compete with each other to issue a loan to Azerbaijan. Today, we take loans in any amount and on the most reasonable terms. Actually, I entrusted the government to reduce the number of loans a little in order to avoid large public debt," President Aliyev underlined.
Touching upon the stabilization of oil production in Azerbaijan, the Head of State said he was very glad that his concern over oil production expressed some time ago at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers was properly understood by project partners.
As a result of definite measures, oil production will be stabilized in 2013.
"We achieved it as a result of the negotiations held with BP. I am very pleased that the mutual understanding between BP and SOCAR has been resumed, and today these ties that have a long history, enter a new phase. Because there is still a lot to do in the future," the President said.