September 16, 2011

An international conference on the subject of “Azerbaijan: a strategic partner for Europe’s energy security” in Paris

An international conference on the subject of “Azerbaijan: a strategic partner for Europe’s energy security” was held on September 16 at the European Parliament’s Paris office.

First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva attended the Conference.

 

First Lady of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva delivered a speech at the International Conference.

 

Speech by Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva:

 

- Dear Ladies and Gentlemen!

 

Dear Friends!

 

First of all I would like to welcome you at this Conference devoted to strengthening Azerbaijan’s role in Europe’s energy security and express my gratitude to you. I would also like to thank our friend Mrs. Rashida Dati for all her support provided to the organization of today’s event.

 

Let me note at the beginning of my speech that 150 years ago Azerbaijan was the first country producing oil by industrial means. In 1901, 50% of the world oil production fell on this country. First oil boom took place with participation of Nobel brothers, Shell-Transport and Rothschild Banking House companies. During the World War 2 Azerbaijan provided over 70% of the Soviet Union’s general oil supply and this was a great contribution to the Victory over the fascism.  

 

After regaining state independence at the end of the 20th century, Azerbaijan created such an investment environment that a number of world leading energy companies started to make investments into our oil and gas sector.

 

By signing the “Contract of the Century” in 1994 with a consortium comprising world leading oil companies, Azerbaijan first time in the history opened the resources of the Caspian Sea to the international world.

 

From that time on, the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic has signed 32 Production Sharing Agreements with 53 international energy companies representing 20 countries. Total amount of the investment made by foreign companies into Azerbaijan’s oil and gas sector has reached 44 billion US Dollars.

 

At present, Azerbaijan produces some 1 million barrels of oil a day and 30 billion cubic metres of gas a year.

 

Our proved gas reserves are over 2.2 trillion cubic metres. This will give us the opportunity to become, during the upcoming decades, a significant gas supplier in international markets. Azerbaijan has also made investment into the energy transportation infrastructure. One of the priorities is branching out the supply routes. Today 7 oil and gas pipelines take our resources to world markets via different supply routes.

 

Azerbaijan has ensured its energy security, and now it contributes to energy security of partner-countries.

 

One of the greatest achievements of Azerbaijan was construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. First time in the history it linked the Caspian and Mediterranean seas. We have also been playing our role as a transit country in ensuring access for oil suppliers from the eastern coasts of the Caspian Sea to European and world markets.    As in supply, we are a reliable country for transit too.

 

Another historical achievement we secured was the construction of the South Caucasian gas pipeline to export our gas.

 

Azerbaijan has been a reliable partner for Europe. We approach the issue of energy security from a standpoint that energy resources should unite countries and nations, not to separate them. Energy resources should serve regional and international cooperation, not competition or conflicts. Interests of suppliers, transit countries and consumer should coincide and lead mostly to forecasting and mutual benefit. This is the energy philosophy of our country.

 

At this conference held in the beautiful city of Paris, the centre of Europe, I would like to congratulate “Total” and “Gas de France” French energy companies on   successful discovery of new “Absheron” gas field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. This event was disclosed a few days earlier and the new field will strengthen energy potential of Azerbaijan, as well as Europe’s energy security.

 

A Joint Declaration was signed on January 13, 2011 in Baku by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Chairman of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso on “South” gas corridor. We hope Azerbaijani gas will soon be taken to the European market and relations between the European Union and Azerbaijan become stronger.

 

I wish success to all the participants of the Congress.

 

Thank you for your attention.