Details added (first version posted on 13:33)
Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept.1
Trend:
Shah Deniz Stage 2 project is of great importance for Azerbaijan, said the country’s President Ilham Aliyev Sept.1.
He made the remarks addressing the Shah Deniz Stage 2 Production and Risers Platform Jacket Sail Away Event.
“Dear friends, today is a very remarkable day for our country. We are sailing away the Shah Deniz 2 platform jacket,” said the president.
“I congratulate you, the whole Azerbaijani people with this remarkable event. This is a historical event,” said President Aliyev. “The contract on Shah Deniz was signed 20 years ago and throughout these years, it has been implemented successfully. All tasks are being fulfilled.”
President Aliyev noted that the platform jacket, which was sailed away today, shows that Azerbaijan is a country able to carry out great work.
“It is gratifying that the jacket and topside of the platform are fully constructed in Azerbaijan,” said the president. “The vast majority of those working on the construction of these grandiose facilities are Azerbaijani citizens. This is the result of the ‘Contract of the Century’.”
One of the conditions of the “Contract of the Century” signed in 1994 was that gradually, local specialists and workers should prevail, said the president.
“Today, over 80 percent of the workers are Azerbaijani citizens, and this means new jobs,” said Ilham Aliyev.
He pointed out that over 20,000 Azerbaijani citizens participate in the implementation of the Shah Deniz project, get good salary and gain experience.
Those citizens will work in other projects in the future, added the president.
President Aliyev noted that Shah Deniz 2 project is of great importance not only for Azerbaijan, but for the whole region and Europe.