Caspian Forum
A Commitment to European Energy Security
SOUTHERN GAS CORRIDOR
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WORLD LEADERS GATHERED IN NEW YORK
FOR
CASPIAN FORUM
WHICH IS AS IMPORTANT AS DAVOS FOR THE REGION
Signed under the leadership of Azerbaijan and Turkey, TANAP was discussed in Caspian Forum New York with the participation of the Foreign Minister of Turkey as well as the Foreign Ministers of Balkan and Caucasian countries.
After the first Caspian Forum held in Istanbul in December last year, Caspian Strategy Institute (HASEN) organized the second Caspian Forum in New York, USA.
The Forum started at 17:00 with a reception at the world-famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel which hosted the President of the USA Mr. Barack Obama during
the United Nations General Assembly week.
Caspian Forum gathered the Foreign Minister of Turkey Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu, Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Mr. Elmar Mammadyarov , Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Greece Mr. Evangelos Venizelos, Foreign Minister of Georgia Ms. Maia Panjikidze, Foreign Minister of Albania Mr. Ditmir Bushati, Foreign Minister of Bosnia Herzegovina Mr. Zlatko Lagumdzija, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Croatia Ms. Vesna Pusic, Foreign Minister of Macedonia Mr. Nikola Poposki, SOCAR Vice President Mr. Elshad Nasirov, Caspian Strategy Institute Secretary General Mr. Haldun Yavaş, Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs, Bureau of Energy Resources of USA Mr. Carlos Pascual, EU Special Representative for Central Asia, European External Action Service Ms. Particia Flor, about 400 energy specialists, academicians, journalists and business leaders. American CBS television’s world-famous journalist Mr. Charlie Rose participated as the moderator of the panel.
The Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline Project (TANAP) which was signed as a result of Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s commitment and cooperation, and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline Project (TAP) which is a channel for transporting Shah Deniz natural gas from the Turkey-Greece border to Europe, were addressed during the Forum that was conducted as a summit.
At the Forum, the Southern Gas Corridor’s advantages for Caucasus, Anatolia, Balkans and Europe were emphasized. Deputy Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers and specialists underlined the importance of the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) for the Southern Gas Corridor. Moreover, participants pointed out the contribution of the project to economy as a new alternative for energy supply to the EU from the region.
Caspian Strategy Institute (HASEN) Secretary General Mr. Haldun Yavaş made an opening speech at the Forum, and stated that the Southern Gas Corridor has been realized with TAP and TANAP projects. SOCAR Vice President Mr. Elshad Nasirov expressed that Baku produced 50% of world’s oil consumption in early 20th century. Mentioning that Azerbaijan contributes to European energy security with TANAP, BP Vice President for the Region Mr. Alasdair Cook noted that new employment opportunities will be provided for 30 thousand people in the region during the construction of the Southern Gas Corridor. Foreign Minister of Albania Mr. Ditmir Bushati said “We are looking forward to the implementation of TAP and TANAP projects for ensuring Europe’s energy security.” Foreign Minister of Macedonia Mr. Nikola Poposki expressed that the Southern Gas Corridor will increase the energy diversity in Europe.
“SOUTHERN GAS CORRIDOR IS A PEACE PROJECT”
Foreign Minister of Turkey Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu gave a speech at the ‘European Energy Security and the Southern Gas Corridor’ panel. Mr. Davutoğlu stated that Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Southern Gas Corridor projects create a basin of peace and energy independence from the Caspian Sea to Mediterranean, linking continents. Mr. Davutoğlu also noted that those huge projects stretching to the Balkans will ensure peace and development in the region, and the Southern Gas Corridor is not only an energy corridor but also a ‘Peace Corridor’. Underlining that those energy projects will turn Turkey into a strategically vital transit actor, Mr. Davutoğlu said “All in all, Turkey’s most important need is the domestic consumption. Turkey has a great potential in this regard.”
Stressing that different energy projects are regarded as alternatives to Turkey, Mr. Davutoğlu said “all those natural resources will have to come to Turkey from either Eastern Mediterranean region or Iraq, or any other region. Because Turkey is a huge market and the only transit country which brings together consumers and producers.”
Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Mr. Elmar Mammadyarov expressed that Southern Gas Corridor has a strategic importance and it will ensure stability, sustainable growth, security and peace in the region.
ARMENIA COULD BE A PART OF REGIONAL SUCCESS
Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Mr. Elmar Mammadyarov, Foreign Minister of Georgia Ms. Maia Panjikidze, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Greece Mr. Evangelos Venizelos, Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs, Bureau of Energy Resources of USA Mr. Carlos Pascual, and EU Special Representative for Central Asia, European External Action Service Ms. Particia Flor gave speeches at the panel. Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Mr. Elmar Mammadyarov said “Armenia could be a part of regional success after withdrawing its troops from occupied Azerbaijani territories.” Mr. Mammadyarov expressed that Baku-Ceyhan and the new pipeline project strengthen the independence of the country and said “Southern Gas Corridor has a strategic importance and it will ensure stability, sustainable growth, security and regional peace for us.”
On the other hand, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Greece Mr. Evangelos Venizelos underlined that the two thirds of the Trans Adriatic part of Southern Gas Corridor extends through Greece, and the country strongly supports this project in economic terms. BP Vice President for the Region Mr. Alasdair Cook emphasized that the project will provide new employment opportunities for 30 thousand people in the region.
Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs, Bureau of Energy Resources of USA Mr. Carlos Pascual represented the USA at the Forum, which was regarded as a proof for international support to the realization of the project. Mr. Pascual congratulated Azerbaijan and its partners for their regional cooperation.
HASEN Secretary General Mr. Haldun Yavaş noted that they invited all European countries to Caspian Forum New York. Mr. Yavaş said “The participation of countries such as Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia and Greece proved that TANAP, which was realized under the leadership of Azerbaijan and Turkey, means more than just an energy pipeline. TANAP is the strongest peace project linking Azerbaijan and Turkey to the Balkans and Europe.”
At the end of the panel, CR Awards were granted to SOCAR Vice President Mr. Elshad Nasirov, SOCAR Turkey First Vice President Mr. Samir Kerimli, BP Vice President for the Region Mr. Alasdair Cook, TAP External Affairs Director Mr. Michael Hoffman, and Statoil Representative Mr. Kevin Massey. Institutions and organizations such as SOCAR Turkey, TANAP, TAP, BP, Statoil, Total, Turkish Petroleum, BOTAŞ and EUCERS supported the Caspian Forum.
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