13-11-04
The Ministerial Conference on Energy Cooperation between UE, the Caspian
Region -- Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Russia -- and their neighbouring
countries -- Turkey, Ukraine, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova and Armenia -- was
held on 13 November in Baku. Vice Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Abid Sharifov let the conference
participants know that onshore oil production in Azerbaijan began 55 years ago,
and that large-scale oil and gas projects are currently underway in the country. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Mahmud Mammadaliyev
commented on the principles of the state’s fuel and energy policy.
Representatives of Russia, Turkey, Iran, Moldova, Ukraine, Armenia, Kazakhstan,
Georgia, Romania and Kyrgyzstan described the situation in and prospects of
energy field in their countries.
Source: AzertagEU interested in close energy cooperation with Caspian states and neighbours
The Conference gathered Energy and Fuel Ministers of the above-mentioned
countries as well as representatives of the European Commission, international
financial structures and TRACECA program, was open by Director of the EU
Directorate General for External Relations’ Director for NIS Hugues Mingarelli.
He pointed out the importance of expanding of the fruitful cooperation on use of
the Caspian hydrocarbon resources noting 10 new states joining the European
Union has moved the borders of this organization much closer to the countries of
the Caspian and Black Sea regions.
“Some 23 oil contracts have been signed to date with 33 foreign companies,
which are going to bring $ 40 mm-$ 65 mm revenue to our country,” he said.
It was noted as well that Azerbaijan is becoming an important East-West corridor
for transportation of energy carriers, and that the projects will contribute to
an integration between energy markets and the EU market.
The conference participants adopted the conception on principles of energy
cooperation between the European Union, Caspian littoral states and their
neighbouring countries. With the aim to form two working groups of one
representative from each participating country, consider the working groups’
proposals and define priority directions of future activities, it was decided to
hold the next conference in May 2005 in Brussels.