Azerbaijan plays the role of economic leader in region, Mammadyarov says

Minister said in an interview Russia's ITAR-TASS news agency that country's GDP has doubled in his country over the last three years.

"GDP growth was 35 percent last year, and is predicted to be 28 percent this year," Minister noted.

On the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, he said the amount of oil transported via the pipeline is growing. Mr. Mammadyarov said the BTC pipeline plays very important role in strengthening stability in the region.

He added Kazakhstan wants to transport about 25 million tones of its oil per year via the BTC.

On Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, the Minister said it must be ready in summer. According to the FM, Azerbaijan's gas will be transported from the Caspian Sea to Georgia and Turkey.

Minister said that in future, gas will be delivered to Greece and Austria, and from Greece to Italy.

"This project, which is very important for us, can be realized between 2012-2014, and Kazakhstan's and Turkmenistan's joining is not excepted."

On Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project, the Minister said it may become a transport corridor between West and East.

Elmar Mammadyarov said that by estimation, the project needs about $600 million to be realized, and can be completed within 18 months.

"We are negotiating with Kazakhstan, who also wants to join this project," Elmar Mammadyarov said. AzerTAg