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Baku hosts NATO Workshop - Shop Energy Security: Challenges and New Opportunities

10 June 2009 10:45 (UTC +04:00)

Michael Gaul, Head of NATO Directorate of Defense and Economic Security, quoted economic studies as saying world energy demand is projected to shoot up by 15-fold by 2030.

In the light of the soaring demand, countries need to focus on the energy security, he said.

â€œThe attacks on energy infrastructure and increasing sea piracy give energy security a military nature in terms of great economic losses. Political and economic factors also play a role. For example, the problem between Russia and Ukraine left NATO states under impact,â€ he added. .

As a solution, NATO underscores the importance of diversifying energy routes and providing security of infrastructure at the national and coordinated manner, he added.

In this context, protecting the infrastructure on the route of Caspian energy transport to Europe is vital, he noted.

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov said that his country welcomes discussion on energy security within the framework of NATO.

He added that energy security is not merely a military-security notion because it plays a sensitive role in the issue of political influences.

â€œThe main interest is about NATOâ€™s role energy security. Along with the interests of suppliers and consumers, it is also important to take into account the interests of transit countries in the provision of security. In general, a strategy of energy security cooperation should be developed,â€ he added.

Azimov also added that an international training center for energy security may be set up in Azerbaijan in the future with the support of NATO.

Bogdan Aurescu, State Secretary for Strategic Affairs in the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed hope for the strengthening of NATOâ€™s role in providing security in the region of the Black and Caspian Seas.

He said that the alliance could play an important role in energy security such as protection of pipelines and other infrastructure facilities across the Mediterranean Sea.

â€œToday, NATO is involved in processes such as cyber security, combating sea pirates, etc.
NATO has sufficient experience, and may be involved in providing various aspects of energy security,â€ he added.

The two-day workshop will discuss the protection of energy infrastructure, prevention of possible threats, the role of cooperation in energy security, etc.