Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was appointed adviser to the consortium led by BP to export natural gas from Azerbaijan to Europe. According to the biggest economic issue «Financial Times» (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/28b699ae-0d9f-11e4-815f-00144feabdc0.html#axzz37nyqVb6r), with his supply a gesture was made by Western companies to reduce dependence on Russian supplies.
Blair will enter a South Advisory Group, which will "advise on political, environmental, reputational and social problems that can confront Shah Deniz - 2 and a transport corridor for the first years of existence. Blair has been hired because of political and business experience - especially when dealing with EU institutions. Since seven countries are involved in the project, the consultations of this politicians are important in view of the impending organizational, political and environmental conflicts. The project involves BP, Norway's Statoil, the state oil company of Azerbaijan, as well as partners in transportation - Botas, Fluxys, Axpo and Eon.
Blair's appointment is also associated with his growing role in the Caspian basin - at one time he was successful adviser to the government of Kazakhstan "reform program" - from 2011 to 2013.
And another important point, in parallel Blair hopes to open an office in Abu Dhabi with an obvious attempt to make the Middle East with the participation of his company «Tony Blair Associates». He has also charities - Climate Group, Foundation of Faith and the African Governance Initiative.
Corporation BP - operator of the consortium for the development of "Shah Deniz - 2", the largest in the Caspian Sea. Its gas will be delivered through the "southern energy corridor" through two pipelines - through Turkey and Greece to Albania, Italy and further - to the rest of Europe. The $45 billion was supported by EU leaders on a background of relative gas dependence on Russia, especially evident after the Crimean crisis ("Gasprom" supplies to the European Union 29.4% of gas consumed.)
Blair as an adviser will join former German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher and former head of BP Peter Sutherland. - 17D-
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