Commissioner Oettinger: Azerbaijan is important energy producing and exporting country

Baku, February 20, AZERTAC

“Azerbaijan is an important energy producing and exporting country, the European Union is well aware of this,” said European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources Günther Oettinger as he addressed the Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council in Baku.

He said: “SOCAR is not only offering its state-of-the art technology and know-how in the context of the Southern Gas Corridor. But it is also an important investor in the Southern Gas Corridor and beyond. Both the EU, Balkans and our partner neighbor Turkey. It’s business model reaches well beyond of oil and gas. And extends nowadays into the refinery business as a petro-chemical industry. Azerbaijan is therefore bringing a lot of energy expertise to the table from which the EU can only benefit.”

“Azerbaijan is a key strategic partner for the European Union. We are celebrating ten years of Eastern Partnership this year. Azerbaijan represents a progressing middle income country that with its prosperity provides a solid anchor in the Eastern Partnership. Azerbaijan is a country which is addressing its economic challenges with confidence. Azerbaijan is also actively looking to diversify its economy and this is clearly an area where Europe can enhance the cooperation,” added European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources Günther Oettinger.