“Since the end of 2020, Azerbaijan started exporting gas to Europe via the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) of the Southern Gas Corridor, and despite the fact that it has only been 4 years, 10 European countries are already importing gas from Azerbaijan. This is a great result.”
This Oku.Azeconomist-expert in his statement Parviz Heydarov saying.
According to him, the number of European countries that want to import gas from Azerbaijan is now larger: “It can be said that after the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine, Europe sees Azerbaijan as the most important country in its energy security. When our country gave the idea of the Southern Gas Corridor project and when it was implemented, European countries, the European Council, the European Union (EU) in general did not support this project, on the contrary, they opposed it. The project, arguing that there is not enough gas in Azerbaijan, fell on us. But it is a contradictory fact that countless European countries have lined up at the door of Azerbaijan, which they did not support, and have reached out their hand to ensure its energy security. They see Azerbaijan as the only country with no alternative and they clearly demonstrate this.”
The expert believes that this factor, in addition to the increased needs of Azerbaijani countries and organizations, also proves that they have never abandoned the policy of double standards and, in fact, do not pursue a forward-looking policy:
“Because they take appropriate measures based on what is beneficial to them in the current situation, whatever the appropriate conditions are. Therefore, these countries and institutions believe that Azerbaijan currently has an irreplaceable value and that the nearest country that will come to their aid in ensuring Europe’s energy security in the context of the war between Russia and Ukraine, they clearly see that it is Azerbaijan and they cannot underestimate it. However, Azerbaijan should not forget about its economic interests in ensuring the energy security of these countries and should continue to participate in this direction.”
“Azerbaijan will double its gas exports to the European Union by 2027, and our potential allows it. But at the same time, considering the growing demand for Azerbaijani gas by European countries, we must ensure and be ready for it ourselves. The result of this is that one of the ways is that we must expand the use of renewable energy sources in the country, increase the level of use of alternative energy sources, green energy, and thereby have a better chance of exporting the blue fuel we use abroad. Because the energy demand of the EU countries as a whole is quite large, 70 percent of this demand was covered by Russia before the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Now, with these programs, gas imports from Russia and Azerbaijan will be reduced. This will significantly contribute to the secure supply of gas to this continent,” the expert said.
The economist drew attention to the fact that Azerbaijan has demonstrated its capabilities to the world in this regard:
“Azerbaijan has confirmed that it is a reliable partner in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum and other similar projects and has fulfilled all its obligations in this area. Of course, our state has demonstrated the same qualities. It will continue to do so in new projects and is fully prepared for it. In other words, Azerbaijan will prove to be a worthy partner in gas supplies to world markets and will play an important role in maintaining our own economy. “Interests will be one of the main conditions.”
Merahim Nasib
