A signing ceremony of the “Memorandum of Understanding for encouraging cooperation among Bulgartransgaz (Bulgaria), Transgaz (Romania), FGSZ (Hungary), Eustream (Slovakia) and the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR)†has been held in Sofia.
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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev attended the signing ceremony.
"The MoU signed today [April 25], when implemented, will definitely strengthen energy security in Europe, and allow Azerbaijan to export more gas to many more European countries," President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev said.
"As it was already said today by Madame Kadri Simson, Energy Commissioner, and other officials from the European Commission and other friends, Azerbaijan is a reliable partner of Europe, I would say, not only in the area of energy, but also in many other areas.
"Also, I'd like to inform you that with nine EU member states, Azerbaijan signed and adopted agreements or declarations on strategic partnership. So that means that one third of member states of the EU are strategic partners of Azerbaijan, and this partnership has a very important future.
"We are in the process of negotiations with Albania to build a local gas distribution system, because the Southern Gas Corridor crosses Albania’s territory. As a member of the “Solidarity Ringâ€, I'm sure, Slovakia will soon become our partner in energy as well.
"We will increase the geography of our gas supplies from 6 to at least 10 countries. I say at least, because I think this is not the end of the story. We plan to expand furthermore our presence on the European gas market.
"I'd like to underline the special role of President of Bulgaria Mr. Radev in the initiative to create this solid team of partners. The “Solidarity Ringâ€, I'm sure, will play an important role in the implementation of our joint ambitious plans.
"I also would like to inform you that natural gas is not the only energy product, which Azerbaijan exports to Europe. We have been a reliable partner and as an important crude oil supplier for more than 20 years.
"Petrochemicals and electricity are also part of our exports. I also would like to express my gratitude to the Minister of Slovakia for remembering the story of our energy development.
"It's absolutely true that Azerbaijan, in less than three years after restoration of its independence, signed the contract in 1994, which was named later a “contract of the 20th centuryâ€, and invited for the first time, foreign oil companies to work, produce and export oil in the Caspian Sea. So, today we are implementing the project of the 21st century, and the project which grows.
"Also, I'd like to inform you that after the successful completion of three major energy infrastructure projects - two oil pipelines, one to from Caspian Sea to Mediterranean and other from Caspian Sea to Black Sea, as well as the Southern Gas Corridor with the length of 3,500 kilometers - so after all that, we are now working to transform Azerbaijan into a source of production and export of renewable energy.
"Leading international companies in the field of renewable energy signed contracts and MoUs with Azerbaijan to produce more than 25 gigawatts of renewable energy in Azerbaijan.
"Construction of the first wind and solar power plants has started. Estimated potential of renewables in Azerbaijan is about 200 gigawatts, including 157 gigawatts in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. Our main export destination for green energy, of course, is Europe," President of Azerbaijan said. ■