An exclusive interview of Trend Correspondent to Moscow with Henry Walter, Secretary General of the International Energy Forum
How do you evaluate Azerbaijan`s participation in the global energy dialogue taking into consideration the fact that our country is successfully implementing important transregional projects?
Azerbaijan plays an important role, both as a producer and transit country. And this role has become stronger as a result of the putting into commission of the substantial pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC). I can say that BTC brings diversity to the international energy network. And this diversity, fortifies the international security. BTC`s importance lies just in this. In addition, this pipeline opens new markets to such countries like Kazakhstan. It is important to Azerbaijan as well, as it is one of the key oil and gas exporters.
In your opinion, what is the importance of the Energy Forum being held in Moscow now?
The importance of the Forum is that such a format allows Russia's leading oil and gas producers, representatives of the Russian Government to meet with their colleagues from the authoritative and influential western companies, representatives of business and scientific circles, and experts. Energy is a complex term that includes different professionals to itself. And we should understand different elements of the energy industry that allows us to implement sensitive national and global policy in this sphere, since we all are interdependent, and a dialogue between us is the focus of our cooperation.
In your opinion, can Azerbaijan host such forums?
- Our organization the headquarters International Energy Forum is located in the Saudi Arabian capital Er-Riad, and unities 60 countries, including Azerbaijan. In the next year, we are going to hold a meeting between the Energy Ministers of the countries-producers of Eastern Asia, Japan, China, Korea, India and Ministries of countries-producers of Central and North Asia, including Azerbaijan and Russia. This meeting is expected to be held in Turkey. Azerbaijan, along with Turkey, will have a status of host of this summit to be held in 2007.