SGC will be next contribution to European energy security, says Ilham Aliyev

  16 January 2018    Read: 3767
SGC will be next contribution to European energy security, says Ilham Aliyev
The Southern Gas Corridor project will be a next contribution to the energy security of Europe, said Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, while making press statements with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov in Baku on Jan. 15.
"Today we broadly discussed various aspects of our relations. We have reiterated that Bulgaria and Azerbaijan, as two friendly countries, will continue to cooperate successfully. In the economic sphere, we must try to increase the trade turnover between our countries. Presently, it is not at the proper level," Ilham Aliyev said.

He said that corresponding instructions are given so that concrete steps are taken in a short period of time to increase the turnover between the two countries.

"I believe that there are good opportunities for mutual investment and we will also work in this direction," said President Aliyev.

He stressed that the main topic of the talks was related to energy.

"As you know, we are partners in this sphere. Azerbaijan and Bulgaria together with other countries ensure the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor. Azerbaijan has rich gas reserves. "

"Currently, Azerbaijani oil provides energy security of many European countries. In the near future, Azerbaijani gas will have the same function. The Southern Gas Corridor is being successfully implemented, and the Shah Deniz-2 project has been realized by 99 percent. Shah Deniz-2 is the main resource base for the Southern Gas Corridor. Furthermore, the TANAP project is scheduled to complete this year. This project has been implemented by 90 percent. Thus all the works run in accordance with the schedule. This grandiose project is being successfully implemented. After the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor project, the issues of European energy security will be built on a stronger basis. We are glad that Azerbaijan is contributing to this matter," President Aliyev said.

Relevant bodies have been given instructions to increase Bulgaria's cargo transportation via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) rail corridor, added Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev.

"I have informed the Prime Minister that Baku hosted the grand opening of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway in October last year. This railway reshapes the transport map of Eurasia. It will be the shortest transport route between Europe and Asia. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway has been commissioned and it is the shortest way between Europe and Asia in terms of distance. And in terms of time, cargo can be transported from Asia to Europe through this corridor in just two weeks. Of course, since Bulgaria is located on this corridor, we have given instructions to relevant bodies to discuss this issue and work to increase the freight traffic," Ilham Aliyev said.


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