Russia must offer maximum high price for Azerbaijani gas: Interview with head of Russian Gas Association

Trend Capital: What are the prospects for the supply of Azerbaijani gas to Russia?

Valery Yazev: Russia has established a very constructive relationship with Azerbaijan. I'm confident that we will sign major documents. However, it is early to speak about the form and conditions. I think the situation becomes clearer in the near future.

Q: Will the technical capabilities permit to transport the expected volumes of gas via the existing pipeline systems between Azerbaijan and Russia?

A: Azerbaijan's export opportunities will increase as the work on the development of Shah Deniz field and will reach its limit approximately in five years. The transport facilities are significantly higher of production capacities. However, a pipeline to Russia must be repaired.
I'm sure that Azerbaijan will be able to find resources to sell natural gas to Russian company [Gazprom]. Russia must offer the highest possible price for Azerbaijani gas and transport gas after reconstruction of the pipeline infrastructure.

Q: Can we count on Gazprom's investments in repair and reconstruction of the pipeline on the Azerbaijan's territory?

A: I think that such actions are possible and would be appropriate.

Q: Does Azerbaijan's participation in transporting gas to Russia call EU's position on energy security into question?

A: Russia and Azerbaijan need to establish constructive cooperation as a gas producer. What is playing Europe? It tries to crush gas producers, to create a controversy between them, so that to deal with each country separately. This is a cartel of consumers, who plays on contradictions that arise in this context between Russia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. Our countries will only suffer as a result of such contradictions.

Europe's willingness to build a Transcaspian pipeline is impossible until the status of the Caspian Sea is determined.

Our countries need to coordinate their positions clearly. Azerbaijan is geographically closest to Europe among gas producing countries in the region. Therefore, Moscow wants to develop energy dialogue with Baku.

/Trend Capital/