BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 11
Trend:
There are no problems with energy security in the country, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said in an interview to Azerbaijan State News Agency-AZERTAC, Trend reports.
"We all remember that in the first years of our independence we did not have enough energy. The stations existing at the time were in disrepair and we did not have the money to build new ones. Azerbaijan imported electricity from Russia. There was a shortage of natural gas, there was no gas at all in the regions, and oil production had fallen sharply. Today, Azerbaijan is one of the world's leading countries in terms of development of all these energy components. It is no coincidence that the 8th Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council meeting, held this month, reaffirmed these successes. Almost all participants spoke about Azerbaijan’s potential and the opportunities available to Azerbaijan. Speaking there, I said that we were a reliable partner, we were fulfilling our obligations, we had the strength, the resolve and the responsibility. Therefore, today's picture is very positive and there are no problems with energy security in the country. However, many countries around the world are facing these problems and they are exacerbating. Some countries are unable to properly balance their energy at all. Because they depend on foreign suppliers and there are certain problems with that. This is why we have become a very reliable energy supplier both within the country, in the region and in the wider continent. Of course, we have further plans as well. We have major plans to meet the growing demand, both at home and abroad, and they are being realized, including our plans on renewable energy. I am sure that there will be many more opening ceremonies similar to the one we are celebrating here today," the head of state said.