Azerbaijani Minister: We are interested in rapid implementation of Nabucco project

Azerbaijan is interested in rapid implementation of gas pipeline construction project Nabucco, Minister of Industry and Energy Natiq Aliyev told Trend's correspondent in Tbilisi.

"The volume in which Azerbaijan will be involved in gas supplies to Europe via this route depends on the needs and scale," Aliyev said.

He said that Azerbaijan expressed interest in the project at the state level. However, Minister stressed that Azerbaijan has not taken any obligations to "Nabucco".

"We are interested in this project. The closer organizers will be to its realization, the more actively we begin to discuss the conditions of our participation in it," the minister said.

Construction of gas pipeline is planned to be launched in 2011, the first supplies - in 2014. Maximal capacity of pipeline will hit 31 billion cubic meters per year. About 30% of the total project cost will be invested by Nabucco Gas Pipeline International shareholders, the remaining 70 % will be paid by loans.


/Trend/