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Workshop on â€œLegal Approximation and Structural Reform in the Energy Sector of Azerbaijanâ€ held in Baku

02 February 2009 10:38 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Rashad Suleymanov â€“ APA-Economics. As part of the EU Twinning Project, a Workshop on the â€œLegal Approximation and Structural Reform in the Energy Sector of Azerbaijanâ€ has taken place in Baku.
Ibrahim Aghayev, the project manger on Azerbaijani side and legal relations and metrology officer of the Ministry of Industry and Energy, said the overall objective of this project is to carry out activities towards the gradual economic integration of Azerbaijan with the EU. Within the scope of the project, major gas pipelines, the rights of energy subjects, the review of licensing of energy subjects, energy security and suchlike points will be added to the legal framework,â€ he added.
The project will enable the Azeri Government to have clear operational, metering and market/trade rules in the reformed electricity and gas sectors through approximation of Azeri electricity and gas legislation with that of the EU.
According to him, co-production and distribution of electricity, renewables and energy efficiency provisions will be added to the Electricity Law.
GÃ¼nter Verheugen, the project manager on the EU side and officer of German Federal Minister for Economics and Technology, underscored the deepening of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU, saying the Nabucco gas pipeline project will give impetus to this expansion of relations.
Gulmammad Javadov, Azerbaijanâ€™s Deputy Minister of Industry and Energy, the project will help bring Azerbaijanâ€™s energy legislation in line with the EU framework.
According to him, a working group has been set up, bringing together representatives from energy companies, including the Ministry of Energy and Industry, AzeriGaz, AzerEnerji, Bakielectrikshebeke and Sumgaitelektrikshebeke.
â€œThere is no serious difference in the legislation. What the project envisions is to ensure certain conformity,â€ he added.
Within the framework of the EU Twinning Project, â‚¬1.1 million has been allocated to the Ministry for the 18-month project. 14 German and 3 Slovakian specialists will be involved in the project.