SOCAR CHIEF MEETS WITH US COORDINATOR FOR EURASIAN ENERGY DIPLOMACY

President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Rovnag Abdullayev, met Monday with US Coordinator for Eurasian Energy Diplomacy Steven Mann.

Mann said he is happy to return to Azerbaijan in a new capacity. As part of his regional visit, after traveling to Turkey and Turkmenistan he is going to return to Baku in order to continue discussions here. Mann said the US will continue to support Azerbaijan`s energy projects. Mann stressed US is interested in export of Azerbaijani energy resources.

Abdullayev said after the US-backed Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main export pipeline was commissioned, there are no problems left with petroleum transportation. According to him, bringing the Baku-Supsa pipeline back on line will contribute to diversification of energy transportation routes. Saying that Azerbaijan also became a gas exporter, Abdullayev briefed on the second phase of the Shahdeniz project. Socar chief said Azerbaijan seriously considers various gas pipeline projects including Nabucco, Turkey-Greece-Italy pipeline and others.

It was stressed at the meeting that Nabucco project is the integral part of the US energy policy. The meeting also discussed issues concerning the transit countries for transportation of the Azerbaijani gas as well as other aspects of gas export to Europe.

Socar president Abdullayev wished Mann every success in his new appointment. US Ambassador in Azerbaijan Anne Derse was present at the meeting.