Azerbaijan plans to expand the geography of natural gas supplies to Europe. This was stated by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at the 11th ministerial meeting as part of the advisory council on the southern gas corridor and the 3rd ministerial meeting as part of the advisory council for green energy.
“We are already working on the creation of a gas distribution network in some European countries. In some of them, it should not be expanded in others. Azerbaijan plans to do this. Thus, the geography of our gas supplies will definitely expand,” the head of state emphasized.
The President noted that today Azerbaijan supplies natural gas to 12 countries: of which 10 are European countries, 8 are members of the European Union.
According to Aliyev, the deposits of Azeri-Chirag-Guneshi, Absheron and Shahdeniz contribute to the energy security of many countries. “In a few years, many other oil and gas fields will be developed, according to which contracts have already been signed and the work program is being implemented. Laying pipelines, oil pipelines of Baku-Tbilisi-Jahan, Baku-Sups, as well as the South Caucasian gas pipeline is the result of the joint work of all participants,” the president said.
According to him, energy security today is an integral part of national security, as well as the security of countries. “Today we can also talk about industrial safety. For industry development, we need energy resources, oil chemistry, fertilizer products. Azerbaijan is a manufacturer and exporter of raw oil, natural gas, oil products, fertilizers,” Aliyev said.
The head of state emphasized that the southern gas corridor is already working at full capacity. He noted that the South Caucasian pipeline, Tanap and Tap are its integral parts. “They work at full capacity, and we need to expand them,” he said, adding that means are needed for this.
“We have repeatedly noted that international financial institutions, those institutions that have decided to suspend financing of projects related directly to minerals, might have to terminate this policy,” the president said.
He also indicated the importance of guarantees of long -term demand for Azerbaijani gas in Europe. “We must be sure that our natural gas will be in demand in Europe. If we do not have such a guarantee, then neither investors nor the country will invest money. Thus, there will be a huge deficiency of natural gas. And our reserves are known. We expect the start of production in new deposits,” added Aliyev.