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Richard Lugar: â€œGeorgian developments show how important country Azerbaijan isâ€

25 August 2008 14:40 (UTC +04:00)

â€œWe discussed the new ways of development of very important strategic relations and friendly ties between the two countriesâ€, said the Senator and added that he witnessed Azerbaijanâ€™s support for Georgia while visiting Tbilisi. He said the United Stated highly appreciated Azerbaijanâ€™s humanitarian assistance to Georgia.
Responding the question â€œWill the United States give analogical support to Azerbaijan, if it faces with same situation with Georgiaâ€, the Senator said Azerbaijan also was the important country for US and Washington was ready to assist Baku and to give counter reaction in the analogical situation. Lugar said recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia by Russia could be PR measure. The Senator said Georgian developments had direct effect on Azerbaijan. â€œThese developments showed how important country Azerbaijan was. It was clear once more that Azerbaijan is the country organizing energy security source for entire worldâ€.
Commenting on the prospects of Nabucco project Richard Lugar said he had discussed the issue in Baku and would have talks with Turkish officials during his visit to Ankara.
â€œThere are a number of questions awaiting their solution: how much gas is required to fill Nabucco, how much can Turkey consume, how much can be delivered to the north? After my travel to Turkey I will visit Romania, Hungary and Ukraine, as well as the European Union and NATO headquarters. Since Nabucco is of great importance for these countries, discussions should be held with them,â€ he said.
Asked about Turkish Prime Ministerâ€™s initiative on Caucasus Union senator said he did not want to express his opinion on the issue before meeting with Turkish authorities.
â€œBut I hope that this initiative will help strengthen our united efforts in the regionâ€ he said.