POLITICS
HUNGARIAN NEWSPAPER PUBLISHES INTERVIEW WITH AZERBAIJANI AMBASSADOR
Baku, September 30 (AZERTAC). Hungary`s influential Magyar Nemzet newspaper published an interview with Azerbaijani ambassador Vilayet Guliyev
In an interview, the ambassador highlighted the Baku declaration for the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Romania Interconnector (AGRI) project signed on September 14, saying it will make Azerbaijan closer with Europe.
At a press conference following signing the agreement, President Ilham Aliyev said “we are on the threshold of big development, and we have a strong will”. “Today we are writing history,” he added.
The President said Azerbaijan had big experience in the energy sector. He noted balancing interests of the parties is one of the crucial conditions for the realization of the AGRI project.
President Ilham Aliyev said there were 7 pipelines in Azerbaijan which transport the country`s oil and gas in different directions.
The Azerbaijani leader said his country had fully ensured its energy security, which, he added, was part of national security.
The President said this year`s gas production forecast was 28 billion cubic meters, noting the country`s domestic demand was 10 or 11 billion cubic meters.
“We export the remaining volume of gas, with part of it being stored.”
“And our export levels do not limit our participation in other projects,” he added.
The President said: “Europe`s energy security is important to Azerbaijan as well, and it will open up wide opportunities for our country.”
The ambassador also found the need to strengthen Hungary-Azerbaijan cooperation in social and political fields, which will lead to Azerbaijan`s integration into Europe. He highlighted the role of the Eastern Partnership program.
According to him, Prime Minister Viktor Orban`s visit to Azerbaijan can become a good start for deepening bilateral ties.