Barack Obama : 'I look forward to further cooperation between U.S. and Azerbaijan'

The U.S. and Azerbaijan will continue further cooperation in energy, U.S. President Barack Obama said in his welcoming speech devoted to the opening of the 19th Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition in Baku, read out by the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Adam Sterling in Azerbaijan.

"This year has special significance as it falls to the 20th anniversary of Azerbaijani-US diplomatic relations," the U.S President's letter to the Azerbaijani counterpart said. "I congratulate you and Azerbaijani people with opening an extremely important annual exhibition and conference. I look forward to further cooperation between U.S. and Azerbaijan, aimed at achieving our common goals and objectives for energy diversification and security, as well as regional stability."

The agreement on gas transit project implementation TANAP between Azerbaijan and Turkey opened the way for Azerbaijani gas to European markets and also established an important precedent for Azerbaijan in terms of enhancing the role of this country in ensuring European energy security, the message says.

"Azerbaijan has become a member of the UN Security Council this year and strongly supports measures to achieve security in the world and particularly in Afghanistan," the letter said.

In future, the U.S expects to positively develop the Shah Deniz field, when the Azerbaijani government and its partners choose the means of delivering gas to European markets, the letter said.

"We will also continue our partnership as far as strengthening the ties between Azerbaijan and Europe via the Southern Corridor, through the use of energy resources to diversify the economy and in connection with Azerbaijan's actions and great commitments," the letter said.

The 19th Caspian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference, the Caspian Region's largest oil and gas exhibition, will take place from June 5 to 8, 2012 at the Baku Expo Centre in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev attended the opening ceremony.

About 300 companies from 25 countries will participate in the exhibition.

Key topics will include regional cooperation, ensuring energy supply, the development of local and international oil and gas infrastructure projects as well as alternative energy.
A business programme will also form part of Caspian Oil and Gas. It will feature a series of seminars focusing on relevant issues for oil and gas companies, such as analysis technology and leading pump and generator technology.

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.


/Trend/