Sattar Mohbaliyev: "Southern Gas Corridor strengthens energy security of both European countries and Azerbaijan"
13 Feb 2021
"Azerbaijani gas can be transported to many other European countries in the future. For example, natural gas can be transported via Italy to Western European countries.
In Eastern Europe, the transportation of natural gas to
the markets of Romania and Hungary seems realistic. These estimates show that
the Southern Gas Corridor is a strategic project with great prospects, ”said
Sattar Mohbaliyev, MP, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation,
in an interview with our website.
Answering the questions of our colleague, the MP said
that with the completion of the Southern Gas Corridor, along with European
countries, exports of Azerbaijani gas to Turkey and Georgia will increase:
“First of all, it should be noted that the completion of the Southern Gas
Corridor project It has demonstrated to the world that it is a state capable of
waging a war to end, but also of successfully fulfilling the tasks arising from
the implementation of an important international project. It must be
acknowledged that this is a very serious achievement, and its achievement
should be considered as another celebration of the domestic and foreign policy
pursued by President Ilham Aliyev. It is also an undeniable fact that this
project is of exceptional economic importance for our country. Thus, with the
completion of the Southern Gas Corridor, along with European countries, the
export of Azerbaijani gas to Turkey and Georgia will increase. This year,
Azerbaijan is expected to export about 1 billion cubic meters of natural gas to
Georgia, at least 8 billion cubic meters to Turkey and more than 5 billion
cubic meters to Europe. Next year, 13 percent of natural gas will be delivered
from Azerbaijan to Italy, 20 percent to Greece and 33 percent to Bulgaria via
TAP. Thus, the Southern Gas Corridor strengthens Azerbaijan's energy security,
diversifies markets, sources and routes for consumer countries. ”
The ATUC chairman stressed that the higher number of
participants in the VII Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor
Consultative Council in a video conference format indicates the growing global
interest in international projects with the participation of Azerbaijan:
“President Ilham Aliyev He noted that 18 countries, 19 companies and 5 leading
international financial institutions took part in the meeting. Of course, these
figures show the growing interest in Azerbaijan and projects with the
participation of our country, and most importantly, the growing confidence in
our country as a reliable partner. The Southern Gas Corridor currently connects
Europe with the Caspian Sea, and this is done through world-class
infrastructure. The project also strengthens the energy security of both
European countries and Azerbaijan. For the first time, Azerbaijani gas enters
the European market after a distance of 3,500 kilometers. As Mr. President
noted, the project was completed on time and the budget was saved. Neither the
pandemic that paralyzed the whole world, nor the war that could turn the South
Caucasus into the next "hot spot" of the world at any moment, could
not hinder Azerbaijan. In general, the implementation of any project in our
country was not suspended or postponed last year. This, of course, is one of
the main factors contributing to the growing international prestige of
Azerbaijan. ”
In conclusion, Sattar Mohbaliyev also noted that the
Southern Gas Corridor has great potential: “The Southern Gas Corridor will make
an important contribution to the development of the economies of all
participating countries for many years to come. In addition, Azerbaijani gas
can be transported to many other European countries in the future. For example,
natural gas can be transported via Italy to Western European countries. In
Eastern Europe, the transportation of natural gas to the markets of Romania and
Hungary seems realistic. These estimates show that the Southern Gas Corridor is
in fact a promising strategic project. As already mentioned, Azerbaijan
liberated its territories from 30 years of Armenian occupation, restored its
territorial integrity, and thus increased the physical security of the energy
corridor, eliminating military threats to the project. In the next stages, our
country will use the opportunities provided by the Southern Gas Corridor to
further increase its economic power and achieve new, more spectacular
victories. "
