EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Oliver Várhelyi and EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson visited Azerbaijan on February 4 to attend the 8th session of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council.
At the press conference after the meeting with the President of Azerbaijan, Várhelyi noted that the discussions were held in three main directions.
“We reaffirm our strong commitment to the strategic energy partnership that we have between the European Union and Azerbaijan and of course to discuss how we can extend this even further. Because, as you know, these days energy is on everybody’s mind. And what we see in Europe is a scarcity of resources and therefore we need reliable partners with whom we can plan for the long term; and Azerbaijan is one of them,” Várhelyi said.
According to Várhelyi, the Southern Gas Corridor has a significant importance for Europe’s energy security. He hopes that they can count on Azerbaijan to bring even more of this energy, and not only to Europe but also to their neighbours, the Western Balkans.
The second important issue was European investment in Azerbaijan's economy. According to Várhelyi, they will be directed at healthy economic diversification, a sustainable growth, a green growth, which will also boost the connectivity within the region.
The Plan has already started to deliver- €12 million loan by the EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) to deliver for agricultural businesses and other SMEs support in the rural areas. The next investments are planned for water treatment and waste management, green energy, renewable energy, connectivity, support to SMEs, support to research and development.
“What is important is that out of these discussions we have concluded that Europe could mobilise, together with our international financial partners, the European Investment Bank and the EBRD, at least €2 billion of investment in Azerbaijan,” Várhelyi stated.
The third topic was the need for a peaceful and prosperous South Caucasus. “We are ready to support the reconciliation efforts to reduce the tensions after the conflict between the two parties and also on the ground. We think that this can be done through various possibilities, maybe this time with more action on the ground and later on with a grander design. We are ready to provide technical assistance contributing to border delimitation and demarcation, we are ready to contribute providing assistance and support in demining and we will continue to support also financially these efforts, not only through technical support,” Várhelyi said, adding that the European Union will continue to look for new ways to support the parties.
