ECONOMY
Vienna hosts conference on Azerbaijan`s geopolitics and Europe`s energy security
Vienna, June 12 (AZERTAC). A conference on Geopolitics of Azerbaijan and Europe`s Energy Security has been held in Vienna at the initiative of the Industrie magazin and support of former Austrian Federal Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer.
The conference was attended by Azerbaijan`s Minister of Industry and Energy Natig Aliyev, MPs Elkhan Suleymanov, Fazil Mustafa, Gudrat Hasanguliyev, SOCAR`s representative in Austria Gulmirza Javadov, Austrian politicians, OMV oil and gas firm`s employees, diplomats, renowned experts and journalists.
Gusenbauer described Azerbaijan in his speech as the rich, rapidly developing country, which has an important geopolitical position and plays a role of the bridge between Europe and Asia. Gusenbauer touched upon the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute saying part of Azerbaijani lands was occupied as a result of the Armenian aggression.
Industry and Energy Minister Natig Aliyev said oil and gas industry of Azerbaijan is based on rich traditions and history. He noted energy security is one of the major elements of the world economy and politics. According to him, Azerbaijan is the most reliable energy supplier for Europe.
MP Elkhan Suleymanov spoke about the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute and its characteristics. According to him, the indifference of the international community makes both peoples, in particular, over a million refugees and IDPs suffer.
MPs Fazil Mustafa and Gudrat Huseynguliyev told of the European-Azerbaijan relations, geopolitical processes in the region, and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Minister Aliyev held some bilateral meetings and gave interviews to media outlets of Germany, France, Italy and Austria on the sidelines of the conference. Asked about TAP and Nabucco projects, the Azerbaijani Minister said the talks on the issue are in final stage.
The participants were given books on the Khojaly genocide and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.