Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 18 /Trend, I.Khalilova/
In 2014, the supply of Azerbaijani liquefied natural gas to Ukraine will amount to two billion cubic meters, but a year later, these figures will increase to five billion cubic meters, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Ukraine Eynulla Madatli said in an interview with Ukrainian national news agency on Tuesday.
"In early 2011, in Davos, the two governments signed a memorandum on cooperation in organizing the supply of liquefied natural gas to Ukraine. We are very interested in this, I think Ukraine also. It deals with long-term loading of Ukrainian energy transport systems, transit fuel to other countries," said the diplomat.
The ambassador believes that not only Baku and Kiev, but also the countries that receive gas or oil through Ukraine will benefit from the implementation of this agreement.
"This is a huge, highly profitable project, which has a bright future - for decades ahead. We are confident that other states can also join participating in the project. I mean firstly the countries with mineral resources," said Madatli .
A senior official of SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan) told Trend earlier that a joint venture is planned to be established by the end of the year to finance and conduct a feasibility study for the supply of Azerbaijani liquefied natural gas to Ukraine.
"The project involves the supply of gas, evaluation of infrastructure for delivery of gas from Baku to the Georgian coast, its liquefaction and supplies to Ukraine," said the source.
He said building a plant for liquefying natural gas in Ukraine is not part of this project.
Construction of the terminal in Ukraine will be done in any case, as the country plans to diversify its gas supplies.
Azerbaijani ambassador to Ukraine also confirmed plans to build LNG-terminal.
"The tender has already been conducted, it was gained by a Spanish company. Azerbaijan is also ready to participate in the construction of this terminal. We can help in every way, and obviously will be actively involved in this process during its implementation, since it corresponds to our national interests," the diplomat said.
According to him, Azerbaijan can help with investment, technology, science and experience, which have been gained for years thanks to the cooperation with various big foreign companies.
"Naturally, all these must be done on a reciprocal basis," said Madatli. In general, he said the energy cooperation is very important in relations between the two countries.
"And here things are going very well. About 1.5 million tons of Azerbaijani oil were transported to Ukraine last year," said the diplomat.
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