Baku, December 6 (AZERTAC). An International Caspian Forum was held Thursday in Istanbul bringing together leading politicians and energy experts of the world. 

The Forum was co-organized by the Caspian Strategy Institute, Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency, Investment Support and Promotion Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkey and the U.S. Brookings Institution.

Opening the event, secretary general of Caspian Strategy Institute Haldun Yavas spoke of the necessity of hydrocarbon resources of the Caspian Sea in the world. He also underlined the significance of the Forum for contribution to establishing peace and stability in the region.

Azerbaijan`s deputy minister of foreign affairs Khalaf Khalafov said the oil strategy launched by national leader Heydar Aliyev and the “Contract of the century”, signed on his initiative with foreign energy companies, attracted $50 billion investment in the country`s oil sector and $120 billion in the whole economy. Khalafov said thanks to its transnational projects Azerbaijan became the regional leader. “On the other hand, for sustainable development of the region all states of the Caspian basin should fulfill their responsibilities.” He said it was necessary to put an end to separatism in the region and settle the conflicts. “Specifically, the aggressive policy of Armenia against Azerbaijan must be stopped and Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity must be restored.”

Former secretary of defense of the United States Robert Gates stressed the necessity of finding a soonest possible solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group. Gates noted the United States and Azerbaijan had maintained fruitful cooperation to ensure security in the Caspian basin. He added Azerbaijan`s securing a seat on the UN Security Council had become a significant contribution to energy security of Europe and the world.

Deputy foreign minister of Turkey Naci Koru and energy and industry minister Taner Yıldız stressed the necessity of establishing peace and stability in the Caspian region. They also spoke of Azerbaijan`s role to ensure energy security of Europe and the world.

The Forum continued with “The role of Caspian energy recourses in energy security of Europe” session.

President of Azerbaijan State Oil Company Rovnag Abdullayev spoke at the session to highlight energy projects implemented in Azerbaijan over the past 20 years, the role of national leader Heydar Aliyev`s oil strategy in developing the country`s economy and ensuring energy security of Europe. Abdullayev added the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline project (TANAP), carried out by Azerbaijan and Turkey, was part of this oil strategy.

Chief of the Socio-Political Department of Azerbaijan`s Presidential Administration Ali Hasanov addressed the session on “The Caspian basin and economic development: restoration of the Great Silk Road”. Hasanov stressed the geostrategic importance of the Caspian basin. According to him, the Caspian basin, which will meet the world`s energy needs for the next 200 years, is one of the most important regions in geo-economic context. Hasanov noted a new geostrategic situation emerged in the region after the collapse of the Soviet Union. He said Azerbaijan pursued a neutral policy and also contributes to energy security in the region, where the interests of various forces intersect. Hasanov added thanks to the oil strategy of national leader Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan for the first time acted as an owner of its resources in the Caspian Sea beyond Iran and Russia and achieved to deliver its oil and gas to the world market. He added Azerbaijan worked together with Turkey on this issue. “The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline is a sign of this cooperation.”

Chairman of Azerbaijani parliament`s committee on international relations and interparliamentary ties Samad Seyidov and deputy transport minister Musa Panahov spoke of reforms carried out in Azerbaijan in social, education, cultural and transport spheres.

Chief of the Political Analysis and Information Provision Department of Azerbaijan`s Presidential Administration Elnur Aslanov addressed the session on “Establishment of peace and stability in Eurasia: prospects and duties”. Aslanov stressed the necessity of settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict for establishment of peace and stability in the region. Aslanov described the Nagorno-Karabakh problem and other conflicts as an obstacle to economic development in the region.

Former Secretary of Defense of the United States Robert Gates, member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu, representative of NATO Julius Grubliakuskas, Head of London Information Network on Conflicts and State-building Dennis Sammut, member of the British parliament John Desmond Waverley, experts of the International Energy Agency Tim Gould, John Roberts, deputy minister of Georgia on energy and natural recourses Mariam Valishvili and others spoke of energy and security issues in the Caspian region.