Azernews.Az

BAKU – Azerbaijan is considering exports of its oil to Asian countries through Egyptian territory, the Azerbaijani energy minister said after recent talks held in Egypt.

Minister Aliyev closely familiarized himself with the Egyptian oil and gas refining infrastructure during a four-day visit to the country paid last week, the Azerbaijani embassy in Egypt told AssA-Irada. Aliyev said in a meeting with Egypt's Oil Minister Sameh Fahmy that the South Caucasus republic could use the seaports located on Egyptian Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts "to transport bigger volumes of Azerbaijani oil to southeast Asia through a more economically viable route".

Aliyev said the Middle East Oil Refinery (Midor) based on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast has already begun refining crude of SOCAR Trading, the Azerbaijani state energy firm SOCAR’s subsidiary, and the current volume of refined oil could be increased.

Aliyev said that he had invited the Egyptian oil minister to pay a visit to Azerbaijan soon to continue discussions on the issue.

The two countries discussed a number of projects on oil exports and refining during Fahmy’s visit to Azerbaijan in July.

During his visit, the Azerbaijani energy minister also held a meeting with Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazef for talks on ways of deepening bilateral cooperation.

Also, Azerbaijan’s State Oil Academy and Egyptian Oil and Gas Skills (OGS) company operating under the Egyptian Oil Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding on collaboration in training of personnel, sharing experience and exchange of education programs.