Azerbaijan ensures energy security for Europe

According to “The Russia Independent”, Azerbaijan and Turkey have just signed the gas agreement under the second phase of Shah Deniz project.

The agreement was signed during the visit of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Turkey. This project is deemed to be as main source of gas supply to the Southern gas corridor project, replacing gas projects supplied by Russia in Europe. Under the agreement, Azerbaijan will give Europe 10 billion m3 of gas per year.

President Aliyev's visit has been announced in the modest manner on the Azerbaijani Press. President comes to Izmir city and accompanies Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of a new oil refinery, in which Azerbaijan has invested 5 billion USD. In fact, President Aliyev's encounter with Prime Minister Erdogan highlighted the profound strategic relationship between the two countries and influence dramatically on Russia Gazprom Group in Europe.

Besides this event, President Aliyev and Prime Minister Erdogan also has attended the ceremony of AYPE-T factory, which produce polyethylene for the world’ demand. Except for 160,000 tons of polyethylene, the Plant will output 11 types of products per year. The first bilateral session of Turkey-Azerbaijan High Level Strategic Cooperation Council has also held under with the witnesses of two-side Ministers. Two Parties discussed the issues of development of the different areas of the bilateral relationship. The key event in Izmir is the signing of the agreement on gas.

Except for offering 10 billion m3 of gas per year from Azerbaijan to Europe, two Parties agreed on the volume of gas supply to Turkey from Shah Deniz deposits after the year 2017 and the agreement of Azerbaijan gas transit through Turkey. President Aliyev emphasizes that, in the coming years, Azerbaijan will significantly increase the gas supply capacity: under the framework of Contract for the first exploitation phase in Shah Deniz mine. Turkey will receive 6,6 billion m3 of gas from Azerbaijan and under the framework of the second stage with additional volume of 6 billion m3.

Gas distribution to Europe will probably be exploited before 2017. Currently, Turkey has re-exported some of Azerbaijani gas source for Greece. Gas transit agreement between Azerbaijan and Turkey actually connected energy chain to Europe and Caxpi sea region. This agreement marked route of gas sourced from Shah Deniz mine and other mines in Azerbaijan to Europe.

Mr. Aliyev Seymour concluded: "By the signing of this transit agreement, Europe has closely tightened to Azerbaijan. It is deemed to be due to needs of energy source diversification in the EU and ensure energy security, especially Azerbaijan is a potential supplier”.