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International Caspian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference kicks off in Baku - FOTOSESSION

International Caspian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference kicks off in Baku - <font color=red>FOTOSESSION</font>

02 June 2009 12:18 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Rashad Suleymanov, Elbrus Seyfullayev - APA-Economics. The 16th International Caspian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference Incorporating Refining and Petrochemicals have kicked off in Baku, gathering together about 300 companies from 22 countries. 60 companies are represented at the exhibition for the first time.

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev addressed the solemn opening ceremony, saying that the countryâ€™s oil and gas sector has attracted great attention since the signing of the Contract of Century in 1994.

â€œThis contract was then signed despite the fact that socio-political situation wasnâ€™t stable in Azerbaijan during that period. It was a big achievement at that time,â€ he added.

Underlining Azerbaijanâ€™s great role in the energy security of the continent, Ilham Aliyev said oil factor is not the aim but a means for his country.

According to him, the next steps would also serve national interests of Azerbaijan and give contributions at the international level.

Georgian Prime Minister Nika Gilauri added that Azerbaijanâ€™s strengthening role as an energy supplier in the region increases Georgiaâ€™s transit opportunities.

â€œAzerbaijanâ€™s role is growing apace in the energy region. This paves the way for Georgiaâ€™s turning to a transit country in Europe,â€ he added.

He underscored that Georgia didnâ€™t undergo gas problems thanks to the assistance of Azerbaijan in January when Europe was faced with the gas crisis.

Turkish Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Yazar Yousif expressed his countryâ€™s support for all energy projects undertaken by Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus region.

In his words, an intergovernmental agreement on the Nabucco Gas Pipeline Project will soon be signed.

U.S. Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy Richard L. Morningstar underscored Azerbaijanâ€™s role as an important transit state in addition to key energy supplier.

He read out U.S. President Barack Obamaâ€™s letter to Azerbaijani President on the exhibition.

The exhibition is organized by ITE Group Plc.