OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

I am delighted to send a message to mark the opening of the 2018 Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference in Baku.

This year is particularly important as Azerbaijan celebrates, as a fully independent and sovereign nation, the centenary of the foundation of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918.

This year also marks the 25th Anniversary of the first Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference which was held in 1994. I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to President Aliyev on both anniversaries.

Revenues from the oil and gas industry have helped transform Azerbaijan into a modern, independent nation.

I am delighted that BP has been able to play such a significant part in Azerbaijan’s economic development. The ACG contract signed in 1994 was a historic turning point, marking the beginning of a new era in Azerbaijan’s oil story and in our bilateral relationship.

Since then, British companies have invested tens of billions of pounds to transform Azerbaijan’s oil and gas sector with cutting edge technology and world class production facilities that are the envy of the world.

We want to expand our partnership even further. That is why I was delighted to welcome President Aliyev to Downing Street on 26 April. Together we witnessed the signing of the sixth Production Sharing Agreement between BP and SOCAR, which is testimony to the extraordinary partnership built up between the two companies over the last quarter of a century.

The United Kingdom and Azerbaijan have built a strong and productive bilateral relationship that extends beyond energy into many other areas. I look forward to seeing this grow from strength to strength for years to come.

Finally, I would like to wish all delegates well at this year’s Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference.

Theresa May

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland