Minister: Romania interested in developing relations with Azerbaijan
By Ayya Lmahamad
Romania is interested in developing relations with Azerbaijan, Energy Minister Virgil-Daniel Popescu has said.
He made the remarks speaking at the joint commission for trade and economic relations and scientific and technical cooperation between Azerbaijan and Romania on June 23, Azernews reports, citing Trend.
Noting that Romania is the first European country which established a strategic partnership with Azerbaijan, the minister emphasized that the two countries can jointly achieve great successes.
"We are trying to expand the scale of our cooperation and are interested in the development of ties in trade, education, agriculture, and transport spheres," he said.
Popescu stated that Azerbaijan and Romania have the opportunity for mutual investment, adding that it can be increased in the energy sector and also in other spheres. He also noted the successful work of Romanian companies in Azerbaijan and Azerbaijani companies in Romania.
At the same time, Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammadguliyev stated that the ties between the two countries are developing.
"We intend to strengthen our ties with the European Union with the help of Romania," he said.
He emphasized that Azerbaijan intends to strengthen cooperation with Romania in trade and transport spheres.
Stressing that Azerbaijan has clearly formulated its priorities at the post-conflict stage, the deputy minister mentioned that this position is about reconstruction and cooperation, lasting peace.
"Azerbaijan is taking steps to eliminate the consequences of the devastation committed by Armenians for 30 years. Azerbaijan is taking steps to open the Zangezur corridor. It will allow Azerbaijan to become a logistics center in Eurasia," he said.
Gas deliveries
Speaking at the meeting, Azerbaijan's Deputy Energy Minister Kamal Abbasov stated that the negotiations on possible deliveries of Azerbaijan gas to Romania continue.
He mentioned that Azerbaijani and Romanian companies are working on various energy projects.
Moreover, Azerbaijan's State Oil Company (SOCAR) Vice President Kanan Najafov stated that the company has 67 petrol stations and three fuel storage facilities in Romania. He added that SOCAR currently has 729 employees in Romania.
"We are interested in cooperation with Romanian companies and are currently considering options for gas supplies to Romania," he said.
Agreement on green electricity production
Romanian Deputy Energy Minister George-Sergiu Niculescu stated that representatives of Azerbaijan and Romania held a meeting on the production of green electricity.
He stressed that preparations are underway to sign a memorandum of understanding between the two countries in this regard.
"We are going to sign a memorandum of understanding to speed up this work," he said.
Caspian - Black Sea international transport route
Azerbaijan's Digital Development and Transport Deputy Minister Samir Mammadov stated that the project of the Caspian-Black Sea international transport route has been prepared.
Mammadov noted that the project was presented for consideration by the other sides, adding that the participants in the project are Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Turkmenistan.
--
Ayya Lmahamad is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @AyyaLmahamad
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz