Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 3/ Trend /
Azerbaijan has implemented major energy projects in the past 10 years. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline delivers Caspian oil to world markets and is increasing its role in international energy security, the Azertaj state news agency quoted President Ilham Aliyev as saying in an interview with the CNBС TV station.
"We possess huge energy resources. Our gas resources will last at least 100 years. We have state-of-the art transport infrastructure and diversified transport routes. Such diversification is important for consumers and suppliers," Aliyev said.
Azerbaijan is focusing on consumer problems on the backdrop of the crisis. But the country needs reliable and safe energy routes as a supplier country.
"We achieve our goal by constructing pipelines in various directions," Aliyev said.
He said Azerbaijan hopes to provide additional volumes of oil and gas that are necessary to ensure energy security in Europe. Azerbaijan has such an opportunity and is involved in discussions over the Turkey-Greece-Italy Nabucco and Trans-Adriatic pipeline projects.
"The work carried out in our country shows Azerbaijan is a reliable partner. None of our projects were questioned during the crisis," Aliyev said.
Aliyev added that Azerbaijan is interested in joining new projects. The transport capacity of the pipelines does not fully meet the country's energy export potential.
"Perhaps, we will double gas production. Production will top 20 billion cubic meters this year. We export gas only to the regional market at the moment. Nabucco and similar projects create opportunities to open mechanisms to diversify a long-term reliable supply," he said.
At the same time, vital issues related to Nabucco must be resolved, Aliyev said. Europe must pursue a unified energy policy and Nabucco not only unites the EU, but also Central European countries, he added.
"Another important issue is the important role the EU will play in Nabucco. There are encouraging aspects, but progress must be achieved. It is important for Azerbaijan to clear up issues related to Azerbaijani gas transit. The country must have agreements with transit countries to gain access to the EU," Aliyev said.
"All these important issues are interrelated and we will plan production based on their implementation. We cannot produce gas if there is no market. First of all, market and contracts are required for production. Azerbaijan's recoverable reserves total two trillion cubic meters at least," Aliyev added.
"We don't have any contradictions with Russia regarding energy," he said.