'EU eyes Azerbaijan as key partner'

The EU sees Azerbaijan as a key partner in this part of the world, European Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger said in his message, read out by head of the EU office in Azerbaijan Roland Kobia at the 19th International Caspian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference in Baku.

"With a strong pipeline link between Azerbaijan and Europe, the relationship between us could become much stronger. Azerbaijan could become much stronger," the message says. According to the message, the Southern Gas Corridor would link Azerbaijan with the European markets.

"Over 20 years of independence Azerbaijan has been transformed. The achievements of the country in energy sector, as well as the positive environment, in particular transparent legal regime allows international companies to invest in Azerbaijan," Oettinger said in his message.
According to him, in terms of energy policy Azerbaijan has its vision and strategy. "And now it is time for Azerbaijan to continue its long term strategy. Azerbaijan needs to act now, while the time is right," the message says.

The 19th Caspian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference, the Caspian Region's largest oil and gas exhibition, is taking place from 5 to 8 June 2012 at the Baku Expo Centre in Azerbaijan.
Caspian Oil & Gas is officially supported by the Ministry of Industry and Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The event is organised by ITE Group plc and Iteca Caspian, with support from ITE's international partners - ITE Moscow, EUF (Turkey), GiMA (Germany), ITE China and ITE Gulf (Dubai).

Sponsors for the Caspian Oil and Gas include: BP Azerbaijan (General Sponsor), State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic and Andrade Gutierrez (Gold Sponsors), Caspian Geophysical, Conoco Phillips, Cross Caspian Oil and Gas Logistics, Det Norske Veritas, Ernst & Young, IGI POSEIDON S.A., Inpex Corporation, McDermott Caspian Contractors, MESC, Nobel Oil LTD, OMV Aktiengesellschaft, RWE, Statoil, Salans, TAP, Total E&P Azerbaijan, Velosi and Vietnam Oil & Gas Group (Petrovietnam).

The Southern Gas Corridor is one of the priority energy projects for the EU. It is designed to diversify the routes and sources of supply and thereby increase the energy security of the EU.


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