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President Ilham Aliyev: For many years Azerbaijan has been selling gas to Turkey for 1/3 market price

17 October 2009 10:39 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. â€œAzerbaijan is ready to export its gas to the European Union,â€ Azerbaijanâ€™s President Ilham Aliyev said at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers on the outcomes of socio-economic development of the nine months of 2009, APA reports. The head of state said Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Switzerland are among the potential partners.
â€œSome countries are located closer to our borders, others are farther. But these countries want to pay market price for Azerbaijanâ€™s gas. We also want sell the gas for the market price. This is a mutually profitable project. But unfortunately, we have been deprived of this opportunity for about two years. The main reason is that the transit problems between Turkey and Azerbaijan have not been solved. Azerbaijan establishes relations with all countries â€“ both with friendly countries and partner countries â€“ on mutual interests. Other countries first of all defend their interests, of course we also defend our interests first of all. But the issue offered by us is based on the world practice both in terms of price and tariff facts. It is no secret that for many years Azerbaijan has been selling gas to Turkey for one third, 30 percent of the market price. Which country sells its natural resources, especially under the present circumstances, for 30 percent of the market price and is satisfied with it? This is beyond any logic. Unfortunately, we have not achieved any results in the negotiations from last April till now. We want to sell our gas for a price close to the market price, if not for the market price. If we are not paid equal to the price paid for Russian gas, then let it be 8 percent, 10 percent lower, but not 50 percent lower,â€ Ilham Aliyev said.