The European Azerbaijan Society (TEAS), Azerbaijani expatriates across Europe and friends of Azerbaijan have welcomed the statement made by the UK Prime Minister David Cameron who again acknowledged the ongoing role of Azerbaijan in ensuring the future of international energy security. 

The UK Prime Minister's statement was issued to mark the opening of the 19th Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition in Baku. Prime Minister Cameron commented: "Azerbaijan is at the heart of a region whose energy resources will play a vital role in the world economy in the years to come. Azerbaijan has been playing a central and active part in unlocking these resources for the benefit of all." Indeed, Azerbaijan has been at the forefront of political talks and academic interest aimed at ensuring diversification of Europe's energy supplies. Most notably, gas rows in January 2009 left tens of thousands of customers across Europe without gas supplies at the height of the cold winter season.

Talking about the ongoing projects in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, Mr Cameron also said: "The landmark intergovernmental agreement negotiated late last year, coupled with the announcement of work towards developing the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TAP) for the transport of Shah Deniz gas to Europe, will help make the Southern Gas Corridor a reality. This marks a step change in the diversification of European energy supplies. It is also an important step towards enabling development of the region's hydrocarbon reserves. We are delighted that BP, the largest single foreign investor in Azerbaijan, has been so closely involved."

A Western-led consortium working in the Shah Deniz field in the Caspian Sea, led by British Petroleum, is due at the end of this month to choose between two natural gas projects for Europe - the South East Europe Pipeline(SEEP) and Nabucco West - a scaled-down version of the larger $10bn Nabucco pipeline that was previously proposed as a main artery of the Southern Corridor.

Europe aims to build its Southern Corridor of natural gas transit networks in an effort to break the Russian grip on the regional energy sector. Cameron explained that intergovernmental agreements aimed at bringing natural gas from the Shah Deniz gas field meant the network was coming closer to reality.

"This marks a step change in the diversification of European energy supplies," he was quoted by the region's Trend news service as saying. "It is also an important development towards enabling development of the region's hydrocarbon reserves."

Leon Cook, Director of Communications, TEAS, pointed out that Prime Minister Cameron's statement underlines increased understanding in London and other European capitals of Azerbaijan's importance in ensuring the future of European energy security. He commented: "Mr Cameron's words suggest that the UK government appreciates Azerbaijan's readiness and willingness to engage with Europe on a wide range of energy issues, adhering to its commitments regarding the ongoing energy projects in the Caspian."

AzerTAc