BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 18. Slovenia and
Azerbaijan can sign a contract for gas supplies in coming weeks,
Minister of Environment, Climate, and Energy of Slovenia Bojan
Kumer said in an exclusive interview with Trend, as he visited
Baku.
Highlights of the visit
He noted that the purpose and the focus of the visit is
twofold.
"Firstly, it is about continuing a very promising dialogue on
cooperation between Slovenia and Azerbaijan, especially in the area
of energy. Second, to exchange information on path towards COP29,
both state of the play and expectations in the run up to this
year's very important event. I attended COP28 last year in Dubai,
which established a solid base, and we therefore have quite huge
expectations for this year. COP29 stands as an important milestone
in our collective efforts to implement the Paris Agreement. We made
significant progress at last year’s COP, but we know that we cannot
afford to stand still, and certainly, we cannot afford to
backtrack.
Slovenia, as a member of the European Union, will therefore
actively work to contribute to the success of the COP29. We must
deliver on the new financial goal which will help developing
countries to implement their future climate policies and measures.
Slovenia has been demonstrating its commitment to climate finance,
exemplified by, amongst others, its pledge to the Loss and Damage
Fund. As one of the smallest country-sized donors, this commitment
serves as a significant signal within the complex multilateral
landscape.
Making progress on mitigation is also of key importance. Within the
EU, we are currently deliberating on the new climate goal for 2040,
which will be basis for the ambitious National Determined
Contribution (NDC) to be submitted in time. All these elements,
together with strong follow up of last year’s first Global Stock
Take process will form a package for a successful COP29.
During the meeting with Azerbaijani Minister of Ecology and Natural
Resources, President of COP29 Mukhtar Babayev, I was informed that
preparations are developing very well. I offered any assistance
from Slovenian side to him and his team," said Kumer.
Slovenian team is fully prepared to constructively participate
in negotiations and political initiatives and contribute to
successful outcome of the COP Presidency of Azerbaijan. We also
welcome very much the Azerbaijani initiative for Peace Day and the
gender equality. Furthermore, we are actively supporting youth
participation and inclusion of civility society at COP29. Last, but
not least, sectors such as water and agriculture hold paramount
importance for both Slovenia and Azerbaijan. We are eager to
advance agendas in these fields, understanding that sectoral
approaches play an increasingly vital role in climate action.
The minister pointed out that the main purpose of his visit was to
reach an agreement, not only between two governments or two
ministries, but between two state-owned companies, Geoplin, the key
natural gas supplier inside Slovenia, and state-owned company of
Azerbaijan SOCAR.
"For Slovenia, it's very important to secure gas supply from
different sources, to diversify natural gas supply, because
Slovenia is a small nation with a small economy, and regarding gas
we are entirely dependent on imports from other countries.
Azerbaijan, rich in gas reserves, represents an important
possibility for diversifying our gas supply. In this regard,
Azerbaijan is a natural choice for us.
I'm really happy that we signed the Memorandum of Understanding
between SOCAR and Geoplin, which is supported by both governments,
both responsible ministers. I told my colleague, Azerbaijan's
Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov, whom I much respect, that the
Slovenian government fully supports Geoplin's natural gas purchase
from SOCAR. This agreement is very crucial and is a key step
towards signing a contract between two companies," said Kumer.
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