I am sure that discussions and exchange of opinions held during the meeting will contribute to successful implementation of the project, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at the first session of the Consultative Council on the South Gas Corridor, which took place in Baku on February 12, 2015.
Aliyev said that the joint declaration on the Southern Gas Corridor was signed with the European Commission chairman Jose Manuel Barrozu in January 2011, in which Azerbaijan is mentioned as the country, which contributes a great deal into the South Gas Corridor and implements it.
Azerbaijani President said that trans-Anadolu (TANAP) and trans-Adriatic (TAP) gas pipeline projects are the main landmark in implementation of the South Gas Corridor.
Ilham Aliyev mentioned that confirmed gas resources in Azerbaijan exceed 2.5 trillion cub.m. and emphasized importance of coordination of efforts between the countries-manufacturers, consumers and transit countries for implementation of the South Gas Corridor.
“Diversification of energy resources is the issue discussed between the international organizations. Azerbaijan plays its role the diversification. Speaking about diversification, we mean diversification of not only routes, but also the sources,” added President.
Marosh Shefchovich, Vice President of European Commission on Energy Union, especially mentioned President Ilham Aliyev’s contribution to the South Gas Corridor and said that he is involved in creation of the Energy Union in the European Union. He added that Europe is interested in diversification of sources and resources for the energy safety.
According to the calculations, in the future the volume of gas imported by the EU will constitute 84%, while oil import – 94%, Marosh Shefchovich added that from now on they will continue taking steps aimed at energy safety of all EU member-states and real integration into the European energy system. From this viewpoint he expressed hope for a successful and fast implementation of the South Gas Corridor.
Then the Consultative Council has continued discussions related to the issues of the agenda.
After the meeting participants have signed a joint statement for press.
According to Turan, in the statement the sides mentioned “we confirm our interest in the project implementation.”
* Azerbaijan plans to start wide-scale gas deliveries to Europe after five years, when demand in fuel in the EU will reach 500 billion cub.m. a year. By 2020 the annual gas production in the EU will reach a little bit over one fifth (135 billion cub.m.) of the demand. EU will have to import over 70% – 359 billion cub.m. – a year not to slow down its economy.
