Economic

Azerbaijan gained an image as a reliable partner in field of energy like in all other fields. Our country exports oil-gas to both neighboring countries and far abroad, demonstrates loyalty to all signed treaties in all parameters. One of the parties interested in our country's energy resources and want to cooperate actively is the European Union.

In February of 2022, after start of Russia-Ukraine war, interest and need of the EU for Azerbaijani gas have further increased. Official Brussels putting ahead diversification of transportation of energy carriers as a goal, continues to increase cooperation attempts with Azerbaijan to fulfill the gap after fully rejecting purchase of Russian gas through Ukraine.

West media has released information about the EU's discussion transport of Azerbaijani gas through gas pipelines in the territory of Ukraine.

It has been noted that European officials have presented a scheme to Azerbaijan for implementation of gas transport via a pipeline, which passes through Ukrainian territory and Russian gas is transported now.

According to the report, the proposal is considered as an option to maintain natural gas supplies to Europe after the expiration of the gas transit agreement between Kiev and Russia at the end of the year.

The report notes that the Ukrainian side also took a positive attitude to this issue, on which negotiations are currently ongoing.

It should be emphasized that the proposal was voiced, first of all, by the European Union and Ukraine and then brought to the attention of official Baku. That is, the main interested parties in this issue are precisely official Brussels and official Kyiv. And Azerbaijan, as a reliable partner and a country that contributes to Europe's energy security, responds to this issue accordingly.

Statements by EU officials and high-ranking diplomats also confirm that it was Ukraine and the European Union that asked Azerbaijan to implement this proposal. That is, the said project is needed by Ukraine and the European Union.

Azerbaijan is also taking this step at the request of the parties. Official Baku is trying to prevent an energy crisis in Europe or any other region and, in the event of a request for assistance, provides support within its capabilities. No manipulations in the media or diplomatic circles related to Baku's good intentions in this matter are allowed.

It is obvious that with the cessation of gas supplies through the existing pipeline, a serious energy crisis may arise in Europe; countries such as Slovakia and Austria may face a shortage of blue fuel. On the other hand, the Ukrainian gas network, designed for transit, may also decline if Russian gas transportation is stopped. In this regard, in addition to the commercial component, certain humanitarian aspects are also evident in the increase in gas supplies to the EU by official Baku.

Considering that Azerbaijan cooperated with the EU in the energy sector long before the conflict with Ukraine, it becomes clear that speculation on this matter is unfounded. Thus, back in 2021, Azerbaijan supplied more than 8 billion cubic meters of gas to the EU countries. Azerbaijan transports gas to Italy, the Balkan countries via the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). Currently, gas from Azerbaijan is supplied to such EU countries as Italy, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, as well as to European countries such as Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia. An increase in the number of EU countries, partner states, which have recently purchased gas from Azerbaijan is expected. And by 2024, the volume of gas exports from our country to the EU will be 12 billion cubic meters, by 2027 - 20 billion cubic meters.

The EU countries are also interested in purchasing energy resources from Azerbaijan, as they understand that official Baku is a reliable gas importer and a trusted partner. This is understood not only in the EU, but also in Washington. The message of US President Joe Biden to the participants of the opening ceremony of the 29th International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition Caspian Oil&Gas and the 12th Caspian International Energy and Green Energy Exhibition - Caspian Power, held within the framework of the Baku Energy Week, sounds extremely clear. "Azerbaijan remains one of the pillars of global energy security, especially the energy security of Europe," the US President emphasizes in his letter.

This quote is the Western world's recognition of Azerbaijan's energy policy after independence, the formation of the image of a reliable partner. And for Azerbaijan, this is a commercial and, to a certain extent, humanitarianly motivated step. Our country does not compete with anyone in the European energy market and is not interested in ousting any country from this market. In a word, Azerbaijan responds to the proposal made to it in accordance with its interests. And those who seek another meaning behind this commercial project, or any circles spreading disinformation, will never achieve provocative goals. Because Azerbaijan pursues a completely transparent and open energy policy, not directed against third parties.