Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr S. Aliyev / For the implementation of the Odessa-Brody pipeline project and its extension to the cities of Gdansk and Plotsk there must be political will from the Presidents of all member-countries, Azerbaijani Industry and Energy Minister, Natik Aliyev, stated on the 20th of June.
It is essential to define the countries actions within the project. "The pipeline in the Ukrainian territory is in operation. What remains is the linking of the Ukrainian and Poland. Investments are required, hence it is necessary to define who will provide the funds and whether or not it includes Azerbaijan," the Minister noted.
According to Aliyev, the source of oil is to be defined. "Other countries located at the eastern cost of the Caspian Sea are invited to the project. The corridor will directly link Central Asia and the Baltic countries," Aliyev stated.
A working group has been established. It will organize pending issues, the matters on establishment of a new company, and will define the source of oil. The Black Sea has its own market.
Oil from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan is exported to the Georgian ports of Batumi and Supsa. The Russian Novorossiysk ports also have an open market to which Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have access.
"During the implementation of Odessa-Brody, these markets should be considered," the Minister stressed.
The decision regarding the project will be made during the energy summit to be held in Vilnius in September.