US-based TV channel airs interview with Azerbaijani ambassador
Washington, July 11 (AZERTAC). The United States-based E&E Publishing Agency`s TV channel has aired an interview with Azerbaijani ambassador in Washington Elin Suleymanov.
Interviewed by Monica Trauzzi, Ambassador Suleymanov touched upon the selection of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline as the South European route.
"I think what we finally have is a decision how to extend the southern gas corridor, which is a priority project for the European Union and for Europe as a whole. The decision to go with the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline came, I think, as no surprise, because apparently, according to the Shah Deniz Consortium, it makes great economic sense, and this is a project which will bring finally Azerbaijani gas from the Shah Deniz Field to European consumers, and specifically to E.U., to Greece and Italy.”
“Now that decision by itself does not mean that other countries along the route will be devoid of Azerbaijani gas. So even now, we are talking about interconnectors, possibly in the future to Bulgaria, possibly to Romania and other nations, which will accommodate greater amounts and volumes of Azerbaijani gas coming in. In general, what we have, though, is truly a major contribution from Caspian region to energy security of Europe. It`s a long-awaited decision," he added.
The Ambassador commented on a U.S. Department of State statement, in which it said that bringing Caspian gas to international markets will contribute to meeting global energy demand.
"We appreciate the U.S. statement, first of all, and we appreciate the U.S. support throughout, over the two decades we`ve been working with our partners on developing the Caspian energy resources, be it oil through Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline, and now to gas in the southern corridor, and now it goes through Trans-Anatolian Pipeline, turn up and goes through Trans-Adriatic Pipeline. I think we will be contributing to the welfare and prosperity of greater Europe. Consider this. This is one of the first significant good news for instance Greek economy. If you look at Greece today, it will be major investment in Greece, A, and B, it will create jobs, and long-term sustainable growth in Greece, plus contributing to energy security of Greece."
Mr. Suleymanov said: "Azerbaijan has benefited greatly from the energy projects, including Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan. We look forward to benefiting from this as well, because what we need is sustainable growth, which will be reinvested in areas outside the energy sector, so transportation, education, new technologies, and all this. As a whole, we believe that the sustained growth base, to which energy is an engine in this particular case, is a very promising development for the future."
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