Baku, June 9, AZERTAC

The 13th international "Caspian Energy Award - 2016" and 1st international "Caspian Business Award - 2016"prizes presentation ceremony took place at Jumeirah Bilgah Beach Hotel in Baku.

International prizes “Caspian Energy Award” and “Caspian Business Award” are presented on basis of the results of the internet poll, held in 50 countries of the world, to political figures, government officials, heads of diplomatic representative offices, public and private companies for their contribution to the development of the economy of the Caspian-Black Sea and Baltic region states.

International prizes “Caspian Energy Award” and “Caspian Business Award” are held under support of the Caspian European Club (Caspian Business Club) and Caspian Energy International Media Group.

Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Department for Foreign Affairs Novruz Mammadov emphasized that over the period of its activity Caspian European Club (Caspian Business Club) earned big respect both in the region and beyond it.

Prize in the nomination “For the contribution to the strengthening of positions of Azerbaijan in the international arena” has been the result of internal and external policy carried out by President Ilham Aliyev. “Looking back into history, among the states which emerged after the collapse of the Warsaw treaty, Azerbaijan has been the one which earned an influence and reputation owing to its internal and external policy implemented both regionally and internationally,” Novruz Mammadov emphasized.

According to him, National Leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev laid the foundation of this state. These principles are nowadays successfully followed by President Ilham Aliyev as well as state and government agencies headed by him. “As a part of this mechanism we are trying to perfectly fulfill our job,” Novruz Mammadov emphasized and wished the Club further success in its activity.

On behalf of ADA University and its rector Khafiz Pashayev, Vice Rector for External, Government and Student Affairs of ADA Fariz Ismailzade extended gratitude to the Caspian European Club (Caspian Business Club) and its members for the prize which has been the result of the work carried out by ADA University rector throughout many years for Azerbaijan and at the same time the result of introduction of novelties and innovations by the University in the field of education. “There is no way to develop the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan without human resources. From this standpoint the University’s role and its cooperation with business are of great importance. Khafiz Pashayev and the University, he heads, make exemplary steps in this direction. We intend to continue this work in future,” Fariz Ismailzade emphasized.

The Vice President for Oil and Gas Transportation and Gas Facilities, Rahman Gurbanov said the oil industry changed dramatically when Azerbaijan gained independence and National Leader Heydar Aliyev came to power. “Laying the foundation for the oil strategy, Heydar Aliyev paved the way for the development of the oil industry. Since I have been working in the oil industry for more than 50 years I have to say that even in the Soviet times Heydar Aliyev foresaw the independence of Azerbaijan. In this regard, his achievements in the oil industry are incredible. The construction of the Deepwater Jackets Factory was started in Azerbaijan under his leadership, he created the extensive infrastructure, platforms were built and wells were drilled in the Shallow Water Gunashli area, about 30 large ocean-going vessels with the capacity of 5,000-7,000 horsepower were built and thus opened up new horizons for the oil industry and yielded good results later,” Gurbanov stressed.

“The foundation of the new oil strategy was laid with the singing of the Contract of the Century in 1994. As a result, the output from the Azeri-Chyrag-Gunashli (ACG) fields comprised 400 million tonnes of oil and over 170 billion cu m of gas. The intensive work has been carried out for 22 years after the signing of the Contract of the Century. The full-scale development of ACG and Shah Deniz field with the reserves of 1.2 trillion cu m of gas and 240 million tonnes of gas condensate has been well on track since then. We ended Shah Deniz Stage 1, which is currently producing 9 billion cu m of gas per year. Now the Shah Deniz Stage 2 is on track nowadays to deliver 16 billion cu m of gas per year,” Rahman Gurbanov said and congratulated oilmen with the awarded prizes as part of the Caspian Energy Award and Caspian Business Award prizes awarding ceremony.

“The Caspian Energy Award prize makes me feel proud as the Ambassador of Turkey to Azerbaijan contributing to the development of the bilateral relations”, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Republic of Azerbaijan Alper Coşkun said. He said at the recent meeting between President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan the presidents of the two fraternal countries praised the highest level of relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey. “It makes me feel proud and, at the same time, it is a source of our strength. It is the result of sustained efforts. In both countries the heads of state and our citizens are contributing to the development of our relations. This award is the result of hard work and this work will be continued in the future,” the Ambassador said.

“The Caspian European Club (Caspian Business Club) was established in June 2002 under support of oil and gas majors operating in the Caspian and Black Sea region. His Excellency President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is the Chairman of the Caspian European Club (Caspian Business Club),” First Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Caspian European Club (Caspian Business Club) Telman Aliyev said.

According to Telman Aliyev, the Caspian European Club (Caspian Business Club) has promoted attraction of oil sector revenues into development of the non-oil sector since its establishment. The Caspian European Club (Caspian Business Club), which brings together over 5,000 member companies and organisations, is operating in 50 countries around the world, carrying out an active work to maintain the dialogue between government agencies and the private sector.

“Thanks to the support of the Chairman of the Caspian European Club (Caspian Business Club), President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev the Caspian European Club (Caspian Business Club) has developed today into one of the largest, influential and international organisations across the Caspian-Black Sea and Baltic regions,” Telman Aliyev stressed.

“With the support of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev the Caspian Energy Forum will bring together heads of state-owned and private companies on November 30, 2016,” Telman Aliyev said.

According to him, the first issue of Caspian Energy journal, a flagship of Caspian Energy International Media Group, was released on May 28, 1999. Interviews of heads of state and government, ministers, heads of public and private companies, articles of authoritative experts as well as analytical materials are published in the journal spread in 50 countries of the world.

According to several rating agencies, Caspian Energy is one of the 20 top influential oil-gas editions of the world and 5 oil-gas journals of the region.

In conclusion, Telman Aliyev thanked all heads of government structures, companies and organizations for the support they lent to the Club for many years and fruitful cooperation. He congratulated all nominees who won a prize, wished them further success in their work.