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OSCE Minsk group co-chair: BTC and SCP pipelines to create new generation infrastructure for hydrocarbons export from Azerbaijan

Politics Materials 5 July 2006 14:45 (UTC +04:00)
OSCE Minsk group co-chair: BTC and SCP pipelines to create new generation infrastructure for hydrocarbons export from Azerbaijan

The US suggest new pipelines, especially those laid from Caspian Sea, might diversify European power markets and ensure stable oil and gas supplies, Trend quotes Matthew Bryza, Assistant to US Secretary of State speaking at US Department of State internet-forum.

В"We greet every new projects aimed at diversification of energy carriers supply to the region and suggest the private sector shall decide which are more promisingВ", said Bryza at the forum.

Bryza coordinates US energy policy in Southeast Europe, including basins of Black and Caspian seas.

Regional oil and gas pipelines also relieve the tension in the region as they cross national borders and require cooperation at the highest level among the governments and sufficient political stability for promotion of huge private investments, Bryza said.

"Russia is one of the worlds leading hydrocarbons suppliers and the US one of the worlds hungriest consumers, Bryza said, and both the countries will benefit from joint work and cooperative solution of power problems.

However, he went on, US also believe in importance of commercial competition for raising the effectiveness of Europes energy markets. He added the EU shares this opinion as well.

We are advocating competition, not the confrontation, he said, The recent opening of BTC pipeline and commissioning of SCP later on this year are clearing the way for the new generation infrastructure to export large amounts of natural gas from Azerbaijan to Greece, Italy and Danube basin.

The US Department of State message says the 1,600km long BTC pipeline cost $4bn is purposed for oil transportation from Azerbaijan via Georgia to Turkeys Mediterranean coast. On June 16, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan agreed to transport Kazakh oil through Caspian Sea to pump in BTC pipeline. On June 22, the same department ha issued a statement saying this agreement underlines strategic importance of the pipeline and West-East links

685km long South Caucasian Pipeline runs along BTC from Baku to Georgian-Turkish border, where is joins Turkish gas network and provides gas supplies to Southeast Europe.

Bryza said the USA and international community are committed to creation of competitive energy market on offer-demand balance basis.

The recent Kazakhstans joining BTC project shows the project success due to its commercial importance, said Bryza. The market laws are superior to the countries political views.

BTC and SCP pipelines are really important in a view of our joint efforts for diversification of oil and gas supplies to the European and global markets, said Bryza, Hope for competition and supplies diversification forces is the best way to raise energy markets effectiveness and ensure energy carries supplies conditioning by commercial, not political reasons.

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