EU Special Representative Discusses Energy and Transportation Projects

Energy projects in the Caspian region and transportation of hydrocarbons to Europe was one of the main topics of a meeting on February 7 in Baku between Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov and EU Special Representative for Central Asia, Patricia Flora.

The press service of the Foreign Ministry noted Flora comments regarding the important role of Azerbaijan in the development of EU relations with Central Asia.Khalafov said that Azerbaijan is a long-term partner of the EU in the areas of transportation and energy, and stressed the importance of expanding dialogue in these areas.

With the realization of energy projects such as TANAP, Southern Energy Corridor, Trans-Caspian gas pipeline, Azerbaijan's role in Europe as energy producer and transit country will increase. Azerbaijan has a role to play in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and the upcoming withdrawal of international forces from the country in 2014.

Referring to the Karabakh conflict, Khalafov noted provocative statements from the Armenian government on their plans to begin flights to the Khojaly Airport as well their plans to settle Armenians from Syria in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Khalafov said that the occupied territories are outside international control and are used for drug trafficking, terrorism and other forms of organized crime and the international community and the EU should increase pressure on Armenia to end the occupation. -06D -