Energy cooperation in focus of Azerbaijan-France talks

Azerbaijan and France have explored ways of expanding cooperation in the field of energy during the meeting with the delegation led by GDF Suez's executive vice president, Jean-Marie Dauger.

Azerbaijani Industry and Energy Minister Natig Aliyev briefed the delegation about achievements made in Azerbaijan, developing transport infrastructure of the country, significance of Azerbaijan as an oil and gas producing country, as well as Azerbaijan’s role in Europe as an energy supplier, and its diversified economic issues.

“Azerbaijan has large reserves of oil and gas, and the already diversified pipeline infrastructure with gas reserves of 2. 65 trillion cubic meters. Azerbaijan has also made investment into the energy transportation infrastructure. One of our priorities is to diversify the supply routes. Today, 7 oil and gas pipelines take our resources to the world markets via different supply routes” the minister highlighted.

In his part, Mr. Jean-Marie Dauger said that with regard to natural gas, Azerbaijan is a major partner of Europe in energy security.

“Azerbaijan is the most important partner of France in the whole Caucasus region, and is a country benefiting from direct investments made by us into this region. Our relations have been developing stably” he stressed.

“Successful discovery of new “Absheron” gas field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea by “Total” and “Gas de France” French energy companies will strengthen energy potential of Azerbaijan, as well as Europe’s energy security” the guest added. The meeting also focused on Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Southern Caucasian gas pipelines, as well as TANAP project.

The sides hailed cooperation between Azerbaijan and France in various fields, including energy.
GDF Suez S.A. is a French multinational electric utility company, headquartered in 8th arrondissement, Paris; which operates in the fields of electricity generation and distribution, natural gas and renewable energy.


/AzerTAc/