Azerbaijan can be a gas supplier for many EU members - Ilham Aliyev

Baku/06.10.21/Turan: Azerbaijan's plans for energy supply to Europe are not limited to the completion of the Southern Gas Project, President Ilham Aliyev said today.

“We see that we can be a gas supplier for many other members of the European Union. We plan to work with the European Union to expand the geography of our supplies - especially now, in winter, when everyone sees that an alternative source and an alternative route is energy security, ”Aliyev said accepting his credentials from the new head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, Petr Mikhalko. Aliyev expressed satisfaction with the fact that the European Commission attaches great importance to the transport sector of Azerbaijan.

“During his visit to Azerbaijan, the President of the EU Council Charles Michel got acquainted with the possibilities of our Sea Trade Port, a free economic zone. We see a serious approach of European institutions in this area. This can be a very promising area not only from the point of view of economic and transport cooperation, but also from the point of view of stability and security in the region as a whole. Because cooperation brings countries together, makes them interdependent, they can share benefits. For this reason, the risk of misunderstanding is minimized. As you probably know, we have completed all the important elements of the transport infrastructure network in Azerbaijan, and we are ready, we are already using this potential,” Aliyev said.

During the meeting, Mikhalko said that Azerbaijan is an important partner. “We are ready to work together in a strong partnership in key areas such as economics, innovation, trade, energy, investment, infrastructure and cooperation. The signing of a new comprehensive agreement between the European Union and Azerbaijan will be our top priority. We are confident that this will not only help expand our bilateral cooperation, but also serve to further strengthen the economy of Azerbaijan, increase its welfare and diversify,” Mikhalko said.

The European Union, he continued, is interested in a stable, secure and prosperous South Caucasus in the Eastern Partnership space. “We hope for the active participation and contribution of Azerbaijan in the preparation for the upcoming Eastern Partnership summit. Along with the OSCE Minsk Group, we are also ready to play a role in building confidence and building peace. If the parties are interested, then we are ready to share our experience in such areas as delimitation and demarcation of borders,” Mikhalko continued.

The European Union will continue to support Azerbaijan in the context of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on social and economic growth and work together to restore the economy and resilience, he said. — 06B-