Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 11
By Aygun Badalova - Trend:
The privatization of DESFA gas transmission system operator will be discussed during the visit of the Minister of Productive Reconstruction, Environment and Energy Panagiotis Lafazanis to Azerbaijan, Gkeek media reported on Feb 11.
Lafazanis will make a visit to Azerbaijan to attend the Advisory Council meeting on the Southern gas Corridor project, which will take place on Feb. 12.
Lafazanis is scheduled to meet with state officials to discuss the Transadriatic pipeline (TAP) project.
In early November, 2014, the EU's anti-monopoly authority announced about launching an in-depth investigation to assess whether the proposed acquisition of DESFA by the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) would be in line with the bloc's merger regulations. Brussels warned the merger might hinder competition.
In December the time of reviewing the deal was postponed until April 22. Previously, it was assumed to take place before March 23.
SOCAR intends to purchase two-thirds of DESFA company for 400 million euros.
It should be noted that newly appointed Greek Minister of Energy Panagiotis Lafazanis early said that Greece will determine the next steps regarding this deal after the decision of the European Commission is made.
In early February, Reuters reported that deadline for reviewing the deal on DESFA's purchase has been suspended.
Southern Gas Corridor is one of the priority energy projects for EU. This project is aimed at diversification of routes and sources of energy supply and thereby increase EU's energy security. The Southern Gas Corridor envisages the delivery of gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz gas condensate field to Europe.
As part of the second stage of the field's development, gas will be exported to Turkey and European markets by expanding the South Caucasus gas pipeline and the construction of Trans-Anatolian (TANAP) and Trans-Adriatic (TAP) gas pipelines.
Aygun Badalova is Trend Agency's staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @AygunBadalova