Azernews.Az

The war in Georgia has underscored Azerbaijan`s importance as a key source of energy for the world, a top US lawmaker said during a Monday visit to Baku.
"Also, after these events, no one doubts how important peace in the region is for global energy security," commented U.S. Senator Richard Lugar, the Republican leader of the Foreign Relations Committee, who has paid a two-day visit to Azerbaijan as part of a tour of Europe.
Lugar said he had discussed issues with President Ilham Aliyev regarding the NABUCCO pipeline, which will transport gas from the resource-rich Caspian and Central Asia regions to Europe, while by-passing Russia. He said many issues have yet to be resolved prior to construction of the pipeline, in particular, how much gas is needed to fill the conduit, how much of the gas will be consumed by Turkey and the volume of gas to be transported further north. Discussions with Azerbaijan on related matters will continue in Ankara, the senator said.
"The NABUCCO project will be a focal point during talks in all countries I will visit," the lawmaker said.
Lugar is expected to moot NABUCCO during his upcoming visits to Romania, Hungary and Ukraine, as well as at NATO and European Union headquarters in Brussels.
The Western-backed NABUCCO project, worth 8 billion euros, seeks to deliver 30bn cubic meters of gas per year to European markets via a 3,300-kilometer pipeline traveling through Azerbaijan and Turkey to Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Austria. The first gas delivery via the pipe is expected in 2013.
Lugar further said the United States was ready to provide assistance in ensuring Azerbaijan`s security. "If Azerbaijan comes under a threat from a large neighbor, America will speak up and defend its strategic ally," he said.
As for the possibility of stationing US troops in the country to protect strategic energy projects, the senator declined to comment but added that he had "discussed with President Aliyev, in detail, all issues relating to security."
Lugar also said the U.S. welcomed the humanitarian aid provided by Azerbaijan to Georgia in the wake of the crisis that followed Georgia`s military confrontation with Russia.
Lugar also called on Russia to maintain peace with its smaller neighbors. "Russia should help them gain ground, instead of attacking them. The horrible violence brought upon Georgia is unbecoming for a nation like Russia."
Russia sent troops to Georgia`s breakaway republic of South Ossetia on August 8 following a Georgian assault on the pro-Russian region, striking with overwhelming force at Georgian positions. A ceasefire was, subsequently, reached to end five days of deadly fighting. The Russian invasion, additionally, has caused an international outcry.
Lugar said Russia is already beginning to sense the consequences of its military incursion. "For instance, Poland has signed a document on stationing US missile defense systems on its soil, after 18 months marked by a lack of progress on the issue. The Polish government took this step after Russia`s aggressive interference in Georgia`s affairs."