Azerbaijan, Baku, June 19 / Trend S.Agayeva /
Greece could become the EU first country, which receives the Azerbaijani gas, Azerbaijani ambassador to Greece Rahman Mustafayev said.
"We are already close to this," Mustafayev said.
"Greece is interested in this [energy] cooperation, and it has own plans for such cooperation," Mustafayev said. Greece sees itself as a potential player in the process of providing the energy resources to the neighboring countries in the Balkan region through Azerbaijan. We understand this interest and are ready to meet these interests."
He said the annual gas consumption in Greece is about 3-4 billion cubic meters and Russia is the main source of supply. The country also buys liquefied natural gas from North Africa.
Mustafayev said Greece is interested in buying Azerbaijani gas, but not only for domestic consumption.
"Greece plans to the country into a major regional natural gas supplier to the neighboring countries. The construction of the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria was initiated to this. Greece and Italy also realize the Poseidon project. Greece sees itself as a strong transit point for Azerbaijan's energy resources to markets of the Balkans and EU. This may allow the country to strengthen its position," Mustafayev said.
Azerbaijan and Turkey signed a package of gas agreements, one of which reflects transit conditions of Azerbaijani gas through Turkey, in early June. Thus, Azerbaijan has received a direction for supply of its gas to European markets. Today, Turkey and Greece is linked with the pipeline and using this infrastructure Azerbaijan could deliver gas to Greece.
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