Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept.20
By Elena Kosolapova - Trend:
The US is interested in joining of new countries to the Southern Gas Corridor, Amos Hochstein, Acting special envoy and coordinator for international energy affairs of the bureau of energy recourses at the US State Department told reporters on Sept. 20 in Baku.
"We would like to see as many partners to join [the Southern Gas Corridor]. But that is not up to the US. At the end of the day the US supports the project and for gas to flow from the Caspian, from Azerbaijan to Europe. If the other countries join that it is a decision by the consortium," he said.
The noted that such countries as Iran and Turkmenistan could be interested in participation.
"As far as Iran we are in the process of negotiation for the resolution of the nuclear issue and I hope we will reach an agreement. And that can open the door to Iran for such kind of projects," he said.
Concerning Trans-Caspian Pipeline which could be built from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan, the US will provide support to the project if the parties need it, the US state department representative said.
"We always have been supporting interconnectors between nations ...If there is an ability to come to a political agreement that will lead to the cooperation on Trans-Caspian Pipeline and other opportunities for integration and cooperation we will be supporting of that," he said
Hochstein stressed that Azerbaijan and US are enjoying good strategic relationship.
"That continues since its independence till today and I believe it will continue. There are areas where we completely agree on, there are areas where we disagree on, but that is the case of all families and among friends. We are going to continue to have strategic relationship. And we move together to a continued engagement and cooperation," he said.
He note that he is happy to take part in the event for the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the contract of the Century and launch of the groundbreaking Southern Gas Corridor and stressed that both of these projects are extremely important for the cooperation between Azerbaijan and the US, for energy security of Europe and global community and the national security of the region as well.
The Southern Gas Corridor will allow Europe to diversify its hydrocarbon supply sources and strengthen energy security and also will allow Azerbaijan to obtain a new market in Europe.
On December 17, 2013, a final investment decision was made on the Stage 2 of the Shah Deniz offshore gas and condensate field's development. The gas produced at this field will first go to the European market (10 billion cubic meters). Around six billion cubic meters will be annually supplied to Turkey.
The gas to be produced as part of the Stage 2 of the field's development will be exported to Turkey and to the European markets by means of expanding the South Caucasus Pipeline and construction of the Trans-Anatolian Gas Pipeline (TANAP) and the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP).