BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 17
By Sadraddin Aghjayev - Trend:
EU experts are helping to prepare a ‘Long-Term Energy Strategy for Azerbaijan’, Head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, Kestutis Jankauskas said in an interview with Trend.
“The EU will be the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. To achieve this, we have the so-called European Green Deal: a series of initiatives that will protect the environment and boost the green economy. We have to act now, and we need partners to support us in this global endeavor. Azerbaijan is our partner, we have been cooperating for many years on various subjects, first of all, energy. We can do much more for our mutual benefit, and for the benefit of the entire world,” Jankauskas said.
“Let me name a few examples. It analyses various policy options and scenarios until 2050, based on an assessment of energy supply, demand and the potential for renewables, energy efficiency, and COVID-19 impact,” the official noted.
“Concerning the energy market, the first to address is energy efficiency: we can save money and help the planet by using energy much more efficiently. In 2019 Azerbaijan joined Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P), and EU provided 5.1 mln euro for energy efficiency projects in the country,” the head of EU delegation to Azerbaijan said.
“In March 2020, Azerbaijan started cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on the Green City Programme in Ganja. It will improve the city’s street lighting, municipal solid waste and public transport infrastructure,” Jankauskas stressed.
“However, none of the projects or technologies can sustainably function without proper legal basis. Since 2016, the EU4ENERGY program helps Azerbaijan to draft and adopt sound energy legislative and regulatory frameworks for the transition to clean energy and the liberalization of the energy market,” he added.
“Similarly, EU4Digital Initiative helps harmonization of digital markets across the Eastern Partnership region. With this Initiative the EU expects to extend the benefits of the Union’s Digital Single Market to the six Eastern partner countries. Some years ago, EU helped to establish ASAN Xidmet, now we are working on the digitalization of many other areas, such as Telecom, Trust & Security, eTrade, ICT Innovation, eHealth and eSkills,”
He also said that the EU contributes to the creation of a green economy in Azerbaijan, the implementation of ‘green’ projects, in particular, in the Baku International Trade Port in the Alat settlement.
Another program called Covenant of Mayors helps municipalities to prepare environmentally friendly and efficient development plans for the cities. Mingachevir and Icheri Sheher municipalities were among the first signatories to this program, while seven others – Sheki, Ganja, Qazakh, Shamakhi, Khachmaz, Yevlakh and Binagadi district of Baku - joined recently.
“All these programs help to save money, energy and create jobs. They provide examples that all districts and cities can follow. When there is a sound legal base and functioning energy market when renewable energy sources can be integrated into the grid, Azerbaijan will be able to profit from widely available solar and wind power,” he said.
In preparations for the next Eastern Partnership Summit later this year, the EU is preparing an Economic and Investment Plan for the whole Eastern Partnership region based on the EU’s March 2020 communication. It will address post-Covid investment in the real economy, create jobs and growth, provide for resilience in key economic and social sectors, enhance connectivity, green economy, broadband and digital future.
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