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By Nigar Abbasova

Foreign Ministers of EU member countries defined foreign policy priorities of the union for 2016 and the basis for the further cooperation with the countries of the Eastern Partnership (EaP). The document covers all aspects of foreign relations of the union with the countries of the EaP.

The key role of Azerbaijan in the diversification of energy routes was defined as a priority in the document.

“Azerbaijan has a key role in the diversification of EU's energy supplies. The Southern Gas Corridor, once completed, has the potential to increase Azerbaijan's share of the EU energy market and to establish the country as a gateway for the supply of gas from the eastern and southern banks of the Caspian Sea,” the document said.

The Southern Gas Corridor, a large-scale energy project aimed at improving the security and diversity of gas supply routes to Europe, is considered to be one of the EU’s priority projects.

The SGC project, which is taking shape rapidly, comprises several separate energy projects, including TANAP, South Caucasus Pipeline, Trans Adriatic Pipeline, and Shah Deniz development.

The route envisages the transportation of 10 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas from the Caspian region to the European countries through Georgia and Turkey.

The project plays a crucial role for energy policies of the European Union (EU), Turkey and Western Balkans.

The route, which will provide a further source of gas for decades to come, is considered to be one of the most complex and important gas chains ever developed in the world.

The Eastern Partnership is a framework of cooperation between the EU, including its Member States and the six countries of the Eastern Neighbourhood.

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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

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