OFFICIAL NEWS
From David Cameron, the UK Prime Minister
On behalf of Her Majesty’s Government, I would like to congratulate you and the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the 21st Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference.
I am proud of the strong relationship between the UK and Azerbaijan. Commercial links are a major foundation of that relationship, with UK companies being the largest source of foreign direct investment, especially into the oil and gas sector.
Energy is vital to the livelihoods, economic wellbeing and development of all Europeans. This is why the Southern Gas Corridor is such an important project. 2013 was a key year for the Corridor, with major progress on the Trans Adriatic Pipeline and the development of the Shah Deniz 2. This was a huge milestone and the culmination of much effort by all parties. I congratulate all those that worked so tirelessly to achieve it, but of course there remains much to be done in 2014 to realise the full ambition of the Southern Corridor as a route for Azerbaijani gas to Europe. But I am confident that this ambition will be achieved.
As a close friend and partner of Azerbaijan, I therefore wish everyone involved further success in their effort to provide a stable source of energy for many years to come. I should like to take this opportunity to extend my personal best wishes to all participants in this year’s Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition. I hope you have a successful week.
Thank you.
David Cameron
The UK Prime Minister