Ilham Aliyev: Energy security is important part in the agenda of relations between Azerbaijan and the EU

Baku/18.07.21/Turan: Sustained political contacts between Azerbaijan and the European Union are sure to form a sound basis for diversifying cooperation, President Ilham Aliyev declared at a press conference on July 18 following talks with the head of the EU Council, Charles Michel.

"The European Union is our main trading partner. Nearly 40 percent of our trade fall on the European Union. Last year, the trade turnover amounted to nearly $ 9.5 billion. Note that Azerbaijan's export to the EU member states amount to $ 6.8 billion. Above 1,700 companies from the member-countries operate in Azerbaijan. This is a clear evidence of scales of our economic activity. We are rather active in our bilateral relations with the member-countries. Azerbaijan signed and adopted documents on strategic partnership with 9 EU member states," Aliyev said.

According to him, "an important part of our agenda is, of course, energy security."

As for "historical achievements" on this track he referred to "the completion of the Southern gas corridor project".

"The Trans-Adriatic gas pipeline, the last fourth section of the Southern gas corridor, has already been commissioned. Since January 1, Azerbaijan has exported more than 3 billion cubic meters of natural gas to the EU member-countries, particularly to Italy, Greece and Bulgaria. Beyond any doubt, volumes of natural gas exports to the European market will increase," Aliyev added.

He recalled that " for many years - 15 years - Azerbaijan has been a reliable supplier of crude oil to European consumers." "Today, our potential as a gas supplier is sure to grow, and this will create more opportunities for us as exporters, for transit countries and for consumers as a whole. The point  is that the Azerbaijani gas is not gas from a new route only but from a new source as well to make the project a real energy security project," Aliyev stressed.

He emphasized that during his talks with Michel the issues of cooperation in transport projects had also been discussed.

"The trilateral agreement signed on November 10 last year after the Second Karabakh War provides for new opportunities to open all communications in the region. Thus, this issue, like other issues of the post-conflict development in the region, has widely been discussed today, " Aliyev said.

"Azerbaijan has put an end to a long conflict to comply with the UN Security Council resolutions," Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev noted.

"The conflict is over, the time is ripe for peace," he added.

"We discussed our plans, initiatives and approaches to the new situation in the region. The EU is playing, and I am sure, will play a a key role in this matter," Aliyev stressed.—06D-