“The year 2019 will be important in terms of financing the remaining parts of the Southern Gas Corridor project,” Günther Oettinger, European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources of the European Commission, said at the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council, Caspian Energy News (www.caspianenergy.net) reports with reference to the press office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
“Azerbaijan gas is already transported to Turkey through TANAP. We are looking forward to transporting Azerbaijani gas to the European Union in the near future, I hope next year. The European Union will do everything possible to complete the Southern Gas Corridor project as soon as possible”, said Günther Oettinger.
According to Günther Oettinger, this corridor is of strategic importance, as it will enable to diversify not only routes, but also sources of supply.
“Our admission today is to look not only into the past, we must look into the future as well. The Southern Gas Corridor is of particular importance for energy diversification not only in Europe. It also launched the dynamic processes in the countries along the corridor and beyond. It is not only about gas, but also other issues - neighborhood and partnership”, Günther Oettinger said.
“Thanks to the Southern Gas Corridor - and not only to it - Azerbaijan is a main strategic partner for the European Union,” he stressed.
According to him, Azerbaijan is a country with high growth rates, confidently coping with challenges.
“At the same time Azerbaijan is actively engaged in the diversification of domestic economy. SOCAR in the context of the Southern Gas Corridor not only offers its modern technologies and know-how. It is also a very important investor in the Southern Gas Corridor and beyond, both in the European Union, the Western Balkan countries, and in Turkey, which is our partner. Its business model, going beyond oil and gas, is currently expanding into refining and petrochemical industries. Therefore, Azerbaijan offers a rich energy experience and this can only benefit the European Union,” Günther Oettinger said.