Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 25 / Trend E. Ismayilov /
Greece can purchase three billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas per year in case of Azerbaijan's appropriate opportunities, Greek ambassador to Azerbaijan Ioannis Metaxas said on Feb. 25. In 2008 Athens expressed intention to purchase one billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas annually.
"But we understand that Azerbaijan has many variants on this regard," Metaxas said.
Greek leadership hopes that this issue will be discussed and solved in the nearest time, he said.
Presently, Athens purchases natural gas from Russia and Turkey. "Blue fuel" received by Ankara from Azerbaijan is sold from Turkey to Greece. Presently, Azerbaijan's gas can not be exported directly to Greece due to lack of Azerbaijan's transit agreement with Turkey and inter-governmental agreement with Greece.
Azerbaijan and Greece are likely to cooperate in renewable energy sources, in particular, energy of sun and wind, Metaxas said. "Azerbaijani side has already applied with this issue," the diplomat said. But he did not call details of the proposal.
The joint enterprises can be established on this regard, Metaxas said. Investments are necessary to realize these projects and Greece is ready to aid, the ambassador said.
During his visit to Athens, Azerbaijan's President signed an inter-governmental agreement between Azerbaijan and Greece on renewable energy sources.
"There is legal base for investors to work better," Metaxas said. Greece has rich experience in renewable energy sources and ready to share it with Azerbaijan.
One of priority issues between Azerbaijan and Greece is to increase turnover between the two countries, Metaxas said. "Greece can export goods of light industry developed in our country and foodstuff, In its turn, Azerbaijan has great opportunities to export energy resources and oil products," Metaxas said.
Presently, the turnover between the two countries is at the lowest level and does not reflect real potential of our nations, the diplomat said.
The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Greece totaled $297.5 million in 2008.
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