The Center for Strategic Studies under the Azerbaijani President has today hosted a roundtable meeting on "U.S. energy policy in the South Caucasus and Caspian region".
Special Envoy of the United States Secretary of State for Eurasian Energy Richard Morningstar made a presentation at the event.
Discussions focused on Azerbaijan-US relationship, official Washington's Eurasian Energy strategy and prospects for energy cooperation.
Morningstar said he had been coming to Baku for fifteen years and described the changes he witnessed in the city as "remarkable".
He emphasized the "importance of strategic relationship between the United States and Azerbaijan," adding "this goes beyond energy to many other sectors".
Touching upon the energy cooperation the diplomat underlined Azerbaijan's role in ensuring energy security of Europe.
Morningstar noted the United States "strongly supports opening a new corridor, a Southern Corridor, to bring gas from the Caspian region to Europe". He added the Corridor "could help to diversify gas sources and open new supply routes to Europe."
"A Southern Corridor would provide commercial benefit for the countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia and also create a long-term partnership based on mutual interests with Europe."
The diplomat also hailed the "recent progress in negotiations between Turkey and Azerbaijan on an agreement for purchase and transit of Shah Deniz gas."
The event brought together officials of the Foreign Ministry, MPs, representatives of the diplomatic corps, and experts in regional and international relations.

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