EU official: ‘In terms of energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and EU, this year can be considered important’
Baku, Feb. 20 (AZERTAC). In terms of the expansion of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the European Union (EU) in the energy sector, this year can be considered a very important, European Commission Head of Unit for International Relations and Enlargement at the Directorate General for Energy Paula Abreu Marques said Wednesday in Baku at the 3rd meeting on the enhanced implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding in the field of energy.
The EU official claimed that a final investment decision on the second phase of development of Azerbaijani gas condensate field ‘Shah Deniz, as well as a decision on projects for the supply of gas to the EU, will be taken in 2013.
According to Marques, last year was also very important in the light of the development of energy cooperation. The EU welcomes the ratification of the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline (TANAP) agreement by Azerbaijan and Turkey, Marques said.
Dwelling on Southern Gas Corridor, Marques said that “this project can be considered as a priority for the EU’s energy strategy as it aims to increase EU energy security. The Southern Gas Corridor is an initiative of the European Commission for the gas supply from Caspian and Middle Eastern regions to Europe.
In November 2006, President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a strategic partnership in the field of energy between the EU and Azerbaijan. Four priority areas of cooperation have been identified: harmonization of legislation, enhancing security of supply and transit systems, development of Renewable Energy Sources and increased Energy Efficiency and technical cooperation. The implementation of the MoU was supported by a targeted Budget Support programme of 14 million euro that ended last year. The last meetings on the Memorandum of Understanding were held in February 2009 and February 2011.
The Southern Corridor is one of the EU's priority energy projects aimed at diversifying the routes and sources of energy supply, thereby increasing secure delivery. Gas which will be produced during the second stage of the Azerbaijani Shah Deniz field development is considered as the main source for the Southern Gas Corridor projects.
Currently, the Shah Deniz consortium is considering two variants for its gas transportation to Europe - Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and Nabucco West. The final decision on the pipeline route will be made in June, 2013.
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