EC Underlines Strategic Role of Azerbaijan in European Energy Security

November 7, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS

During the meetings, Andris Piebalgs, EC energy commissioner, underlined that Azerbaijan is a strategic partner of the European Union (EU) and reaffirmed EU's commitment to close and strengthened EU-Azerbaijani relations.

Ahead of the soon-to-be-adopted second Strategic Energy Review, Piebalgs also noted EU's plans to increase efforts to establish a Southern Gas Corridor to bring natural gas resources to Europe as one of the EU's highest energy security priorities.

Such a corridor would open up new possibilities for gas exports from the Caspian region to Europe.

"Recent events in the Caucasus have shown once again that this is a critical time for energy issues in the region and that EU-Azerbaijan energy cooperation should be strengthened now more than ever," said Piebalgs.

Against this background, Piebalgs underlined that Azerbaijan is an important strategic partner of the EU, and energy is a core area of EU relations.

He pointed to the concrete success achieved with the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the development of the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline as the inspiration for meeting today's challenges.

The need for increased activities in support of exploration and development of Caspian resources was also highlighted, as well as the fact that the EU and Azerbaijan share a common energy agenda.

The EU has strengthened its energy ties with Azerbaijan via a memorandum of understanding in the field of energy. Moreover, with the adoption of the European Neighbourhood Action Plan, EU-Azerbaijan cooperation goes beyond existing relationships to offer a deeper political ties and economic integration.

The EU plans to pursue its efforts towards increased energy security and diversification, along with full support to stability and progress in the region as a whole.

Source: European Commission.