Matthew Bryza: "US support of BTC and Shah Deniz projects does not mean that we should support all projects"

He said that the relations between Azerbaijan and US started from energy sphere.

"Now we intend to dialogue on other spheres and assist the development of the country's non-oil sector. The construction of TransCaspian gas pipeline will also be discussed at the meeting. Azerbaijan has a broad potential to increase its natural gas production. We want Azerbaijan to transport more gas to Europe. The cooperation between the governments and companies need to be expanded for this," the Deputy Assistant Secretary underlined.

Commenting on the event that caused cessation of gas transport from Shah Deniz field, Mr Bryza said that this one of the ordinary cases while commissioning the operation.

As coming to the Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars (BTAK) railway project, the Deputy Assistant Secretary said he can not take stance on this issue as the US does not participate in the project.

"US supported the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Shah Deniz projects. But it should not be regarded that we must support all projects. The US supported the BTC due to strategic nuances in the project. We are not against the Baku-Tbilisi-Akhalkalaki-Kars project, we support our partners and friends. We think railway projects linking these countries should be exist, but in future," he said, APA reports.