Azerbaijan, Baku, July 19 / Trend /
In the last quarter there were very serious, we can say, historical events associated with the energy policy of Azerbaijan, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said in his opening speech at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on Thursday, dedicated to the socio-economic development in the first half of 2013 and the upcoming challenges.
"The route of the Southern Gas Corridor has been chosen. This is a historic event. For us it is as important as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline. As you know, the world's attention was focused on Azerbaijan. Decisions adopted in Azerbaijan, I am sure, will make a major change in the future energy map of the region. Selection of the route of the Southern Gas Corridor and the common position of the Shah Deniz Consortium on this issue should be regarded as a very positive development. This project will allow us to fully realize our gas potential, and, as I noted earlier, investments will be made in Azerbaijan's economy, measured in tens of billions of dollars," President Aliyev said.
He said Azerbaijan does not miss the initiative. "Our initiatives in the energy sector play a crucial role. Our initiatives are aimed at cooperation. Today, it is impossible to address issues of energy security without Azerbaijan. This is also a reality that I think everyone should know. Decisions taken in Azerbaijan are becoming crucial. Decisions adopted in Azerbaijan are indispensable contribution to energy security. Decisions taken in Azerbaijan will also say the final word on this matter in the future. It is reality. I think that everyone should know it. Of course, this further enhances the value of our country, once again confirms the importance of our country's policy for the region and the continent. This is our advantage. But, as I have always said, this advantage did not fall from the sky. We have created it with our selfless work, targeted policy and bold strides. Today it is impossible to separate energy issues from political ones. If we did not have the political strength, strong will, and if bold strides have not been taken, all this would be impossible. Everyone should know it," President Aliyev underlined.
At the end of June the consortium of Azerbaijani Shah Deniz field development officially announced the selection of TAP as the route to transport its gas to Europe. Another pipeline which was vying for Azerbaijani gas transportation to Europe was Nabucco West.
The TAP project is designed to transport gas from the Caspian region via Greece and Albania and across the Adriatic Sea to the south of Italy and further to Western Europe.
Gas which will be produced during the second stage of Shah Deniz field development is considered as the main source for the project.
TAP's initial pipeline capacity will be 10 billion cubic meters per year, but it will be easily expandable to 20 billion cubic meters per year. TAP's shareholders are AXPO of Switzerland (42.5 percent), Norway's Statoil (42.5 percent) and E.ON of Germany (15 percent).
Construction of TAP is expected to start in 2015.