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U.S disapproves Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi â€“Baku railway project bypass Armenia

09 January 2007 16:57 (UTC +04:00)

President Ilham Aliyevâ€™s visit was the important move for the strengthening of the relations,â€? OSCE Minsk Group co-chair Metyu Bryza said, APA reports quoting to AzerTaj State Agency. Stressing that Azerbaijani president expressed the priorities for the development of Azerbaijan, the renovation of political situation, liberalization of political system to the official of the U.S, Bryza called First Lady Mehriban Aliyevaâ€™s visit to America successful. The official also stressed that 2006 was successful year in the sphere of energy and stated about the importance of increasing gas production together with Euroatlantic community, penetration the main European markets and decisions on covering the countryâ€™s demand for natural gas and electricity on its own resources.
â€œIt is a great achievement for Azerbaijan. Generally, 2006 was positive for our relations,â€? the official underscored.
Metyu Bryza was optimistic while expressing his attitude to the rise of charges for gas by Russia. He considered the cooperation of Azerbaijani and Georgia relations in winter season as the fact for achievement of strengthening of independence. Stressing that by this way it served to the interests of private sectors that had great role in the development of economy and energy sector of Azerbaijan, Metyu Bryza said that the cooperation of Azerbaijan and Georgia is not implemented for the U.S.
â€œThis cooperation does not meet our demands. The U.S will never use Azerbaijani gas. But we are interested in Azerbaijani gas. The strengthening of the independences of Azerbaijan and Georgia increases the productivity of European markets. Saying that they wish for the realization of Trans-Caspian gas project, Metyu Bryza also expressed their desires for reaching to the agreement for Turkmenistan borders in the Caspian Sea. Bryza said that President George Bush signed a law that banned financing of Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi-Baku railway project and this move should not be treated as the opposition of the country to this law. Bryza noted that they have always supported projects for the increase of transport relations.
â€œWe try to develop all projects which consider the join all country along East-West corridor. We wish Turkey Azerbaijan railway would have crossed through Armenia. First, it reflect our policy, second, it is more logical to cross Georgia territory through Armenia. But we can not pass this decision. If Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia want to relies this project, we can not oppose it. But we do not support this project. We hope that, we will the victim of the transport scheme that will cover all the countries of the region,â€? the official said. /APA/