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By Trend

Significant progress has been achieved in implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor projects, European Commission Vice-President for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic said.

Sefcovic made the remarks at a press conference in Baku Feb. 15 following the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council.

Sefcovic said that today’s meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council is useful for discussing the progress in the implementation of all the projects that are part of the Southern Gas Corridor.

Based on those estimates, Sefcovic expressed confidence that by summer 2018, the first commercial gas will be supplied to Turkey and by 2020 gas from the Caspian region will be transported to Europe.

During the adoption of the Energy Union strategy, energy security was a priority, which can be ensured through the Southern Gas Corridor, he said.

He also added that in this regard, Europe is actively working to diversify energy supplies.

Sefcovic said that Azerbaijan plays an important role as the Southern Gas Corridor project initiated by that country will provide Europe with a new source and a new route for gas supplies.

The Southern Gas Corridor is one of the priority projects for the EU and provides for the transportation of 10 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas from the Caspian region through Georgia and Turkey to Europe.

At the initial stage, the gas to be produced as part of the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field is considered as the main source for the Southern Gas Corridor projects. Other sources can also connect to this project at a later stage.

As part of the Shah Deniz Stage 2, the gas will be exported to Turkey and European markets by expanding the South Caucasus Pipeline and the construction of Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) and Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP).

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