It is difficult to imagine the European energy market without the Southern Gas Corridor, President Ilham Aliyev stated during the official opening ceremony of the 31st Baku Energy Forum.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that Azerbaijan is currently supplying gas to an increasing number of nations.
"Last year, at the Baku Energy Week, I informed the audience that 12 countries were purchasing Azerbaijani gas. Today, that number has reached 16, with 10 of them being European Union member states. This number will certainly continue to grow. If you look at parameters such as geography and territory, we are world leaders in transporting gas via pipelines to various countries. We will increase our gas supply. By the way, we will have several documents signed today. I would particularly like to highlight the 'Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli' deep gas project. Along with the Absheron field and many others, additional gas will be produced under this project. Thus, our contribution to global energy security will certainly increase. A sound energy policy has allowed us to invest abroad. Thirty years ago, we were attracting investors. Now, we are expanding abroad with our own investments. Today, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) is investing in the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia, and this geography will continue to expand," the President noted.
The head of state pointed out that while crises in the Middle East have dealt a severe blow to the energy security of many producers and consumers, the importance of energy security remains a global priority.
"We have made significant investments and initiated large-scale infrastructure projects, such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, which first connected the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean, and the Baku-Supsa pipeline, connecting the Caspian to the Black Sea. The Southern Gas Corridor, which includes the South Caucasus Pipeline, TANAP, and TAP, represents one of the most ambitious energy infrastructure projects today, consisting of a 3,500-kilometer integrated pipeline system. Part of the project crosses high mountainous terrain, while another part runs along the seabed. Today, this project ensures the energy security of an increasing number of countries. We initiated this project and are grateful to the partner countries and companies that joined us," President Aliyev added.
The Southern Gas Corridor is a strategic initiative designed to diversify Europe's energy supplies by transporting natural gas from the Caspian region to European markets. Since its inception, it has become a cornerstone of Azerbaijan's energy diplomacy, significantly reducing European reliance on traditional energy sources and enhancing regional stability.
