Position of official Baku on Trans-Caspian gas pipeline

The decision to build the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline is to be taken by Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan as part of their sovereign rights, said today the Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov at the International Caspian forum in Istanbul.

He noted that in recent years, thanks to the successful implementation of the oil strategy of Heydar Aliyev, Azerbaijan has become a gas exporter. The construction of the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline through Turkey is precisely the export of gas to Europe.

"In this sense, of particular relevance is allocated Trans-Caspian pipeline. Around the project being heated debate his supporters and opponents. But the question of Caspian gas pipeline to be decided in the framework of the sovereign rights of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, the permit and the rules of international law. We are ready to contribute to the revival of the project," Khalafov said.

Referring to the negotiations on the legal status of the Caspian Sea, he noted that in recent years, there are significant shifts in the positions of Caspian countries on this issue, been taken for rapprochement.

"Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia have reached an agreement on the partition of the Caspian Sea. We hope that with Iran and Turkmenistan will be to reach agreement on the section in the framework of international law and experience," said Mr. Khalafov

* Trans-Caspian pipeline project involves laying a pipeline under the Caspian Sea from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan to supply Turkmen gas to Europe. The project is actively supported by the European Union and the United States. - 12D-