POLITICS
Event on U.S. - Europe Transatlantic Alliance held in Washington
The event moderated by Senior Fellow, CSIS International Security Program Stephanie Sanok Kostro and Director and Senior Fellow, CSIS Energy and National Security Program Sarah O. Ladislaw, saw speeches by Congressman of United States House of Representatives Michael Turner, Chairman of U.S. Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Congressman William Keating, Ambassador of Lithuania Zygimantas Pavilionis, Ambassador of Azerbaijan Elin Suleymanov, Deputy Head, Delegation of the European Union to the United States.
Addressing the event, Ambassador Elin Suleymanov provided an insight into the foreign policy of Azerbaijan.
On the results of Wales Summit, the diplomat praised NATO`s Final Declaration which supports Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity.
Mr. Suleymanov also touched upon Azerbaijan`s successful energy policy. He also stressed the historical importance of the “Contract of the century” which opened rich hydrocarbon resources of Khazar Sea to Western markets. He said Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipelines, which were part of the Contract, contributed to the strengthening of regional energy security and further development of cooperation of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia.
Mr. Suleymanov said Azerbaijan was an oil-exported country and became reliable gas supplier across the last years. He also spoke about the positive results of realizing Southern Gas Corridor and transport of Shahdeniz gas via Trans Adriatic and Trans Anatolian pipelines for the energy security of Europe.
The ambassador highlighted ground-breaking ceremony of Southern Gas Corridor to be held during the 20th anniversary of the “Contract of the century”.
The speakers of the event stressed the important role of Azerbaijan in ensuring the energy security and diversifying the energy supply of Europe.
Director and Senior Fellow, CSIS Energy and National Security Program Sarah O. Ladislaw highlighted Azerbaijan`s rich hydrocarbon resources and the role of the country in ensuring the energy security of Europe.
The participants discussed ongoing processes in the region, as well as current security challenges. They stressed the importance of unequivocal support to Wales Summit which regards the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of NATO partnership countries.