Ilham Aliyev: Criticism of BP misunderstood

On December 18, the National Olympic Committee discussed the years results with President Ilham Aliyev participation.

President Ilham Aliyev addressed the gathering, speaking about problems in the economy, in particular the oil sector. Aliyev said that in all areas it was a successful year.  He is particularly pleased with the condition of affairs in the non-oil sector, which he expects to grow next year by 10%.

At the same time, he acknowledged the oil sector faced some decline, but is “very happy that a period of stabilization has begun.”  "Some time ago at a Cabinet meeting, I openly spoke on the issue. I am very pleased that our main partner, BP, reacted on these thoughts and comments with a very big responsibility. This morning, at a meeting with the BP President, he unveiled the company's plans for the future. I am very pleased that the problem in stabilizing oil production is in the foreground. Beginning next year, the oil industry will be stabilized. Further more, for many years, oil production will be stable,” said Aliyev.

"After my comments, external forces, who do not like Azerbaijan, the Armenian lobby and, unfortunately, the internal opposition, who are in the same camp as the Armenian lobby, exaggerated the question and that the oil industry of Azerbaijan faced a big problem, as if Azerbaijan, SOCAR and its partners had any problems,” Aliyev continued.

"I just want to say to displease the forces who do not love us; the internal forces and opposition and traitors, the very people who during the early days of the Summer Olympic Games in London were happy our athletes failed to win gold medals, and then, with the Armenians, who were disappointed with the results of games. Let the Armenian lobby not rejoice, let external forces that do not like us and do not take the successful development of Azerbaijan not rejoice,” the head of state said.

Note the officials and pro-government media, who caught Aliyev’s words, accused BP of funding articles criticizing Azerbaijan’s ruling family, and of financing the opposition in attempt to destabilize the situation and undermining the oil industry of Azerbaijan. Against this background, there have been calls to expel BP or take away it’s operator function in the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli project. -02B-