EU Commissioner: Azerbaijan is key supplier to Southern Energy Corridor

Azerbaijan, Baku, June 8 / Trend A.Badalova /

Azerbaijan will become a key supplier in the implementation of the Southern Energy Corridor, EU Commissioner for Energy Gunther Oettinger said on Wednesday at the 18th International Caspian Oil and Gas Refining & Petrochemicals Exhibition and Conference in Baku.

"Azerbaijan will play a central role both as a gas supplier and transit country," Oettinger said.

He stressed that Europe still lacks enough gas suppliers.

Azerbaijani gas, particularly gas produced in the second stage of development of the Shah-Deniz field, is in focus, he said. But regions such as Egypt and Central Asia are also under consideration.

After the recent events at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan, gas has become even more attractive as a low-carbon material, Oettinger said.
Europe is committed to working with its partners towards implementing the Southern Corridor projects, he said.

"Europe has long-term relations with Azerbaijan. I am confident that cooperation between the two parties will be strengthened in the future," he stressed.

The Southern Corridor is a priority EU energy project diversifying energy supply routes and sources and increasing the energy security of the EU. The Southern Corridor includes the Nabucco gas pipeline, Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), White Stream, and ITGI (Turkey-Greece-Italy pipeline).