Energy Minister: Azerbaijan is becoming increasingly important in ensuring Europan energy security

Azerbaijan is becoming increasingly important in ensuring European energy security, Azerbaijan's Industry and Energy Minister Natig Aliyev said at a meeting with Romanian Deputy Economy, Trade and business Environment Minister and State Secretary for Energy Affairs Tudor Serban today.

In 2010, Azerbaijan will produce 52.5 million tons of oil and 28.1 billion cubic meters of gas, the minister said.

At present, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline pumps about 900,000 barrels of oil per day, the minister added.

During the energy conference held in Georgia on  Jan. 13, Romania suggested signing a tripartite memorandum of cooperation on  development of gas transportation via Azerbaijan-Georgia-Romania route.

The Romanian government believes that this project is of great importance not only for Romania but also for gas supply of the EU.

Romania has several alternative proposals to help finance this EU-backed project.

/Trend Capital/