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Azerbaijan, Ukraine discuss energy coop

12 March 2013 18:41 (UTC+04:00)
Azerbaijan, Ukraine discuss energy coop

By Aynur Jafarova

Energy cooperation between Ukraine and Azerbaijan was a key topic of the meeting between Azerbaijani Minister of Industry and Energy Natiq Aliyev and Ukrainian Minister of Energy and Coal Industry Eduard Stavitsky in Baku on March 12.

The meeting took place as part of Stavitsky's two-day visit to Baku.

During the meeting, the Ukrainian side proposed Azerbaijan to refine oil at the Ukrainian oil refineries upon a toll manufacturing scheme. It is planned to refine oil at oil refineries in Odessa and Kremenchug cities of Ukraine.

"We still have the pipeline, which works for the Kremenchug oil refinery and we can supply oil through it, if we reach an agreement," Stavitsky said.

The minister said that the complete restoration of refining industry is the main task for Ukraine and in this regard there is a need not only to supply oil, but also to diversify it.

Moreover, Stavitsky added that Ukraine is ready to consider its participation in the development of infrastructural projects for energy supplies to Europe, in particular, in such projects as TANAP and AGRI.

The Trans Anatolian Gas Pipeline Project --TANAP project envisages construction of a pipeline from the eastern border of Turkey to the country's western border to supply gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field in the Caspian Sea to Europe through Turkey. Initial capacity of the pipeline is expected to be 16 billion cubic meters per year. Around 6 billion cubic meters will be delivered to Turkey, while the rest will be transported to Europe.

Azerbaijan-Georgia-Romania Interconnector -- AGRI project envisages transportation of Azerbaijani gas via pipelines to the Black Sea coast of Georgia, where the gas will be liquefied at a special terminal. Then the gas will be delivered to a terminal at the Romanian port of Constanta via tankers. Later the liquefied gas will be brought into the state of natural gas and used to meet the needs of Romania and other European countries.

Also, Ukraine voiced its readiness to consider the possibility of cooperation with Azerbaijan in reconstructing hydroelectric power stations, as Ukraine has great experience in this field.

In turn, Aliyev noted the rapid development of the Azerbaijani-Ukrainian relations in the years of independence.

According to Aliyev, the two countries have a fruitful cooperation in the field of economy.

"Power engineering is the foundation of our relations. We assisted and are ready to continue our assistance to Ukraine with oil and oil products," Aliyev said, adding that only Azerbaijan and Ukraine have such a body as the Council of Presidents.

Speaking at a press conference held after the meeting with the Azerbaijani minister, Stavitsky said that delivery of Azerbaijani oil to Ukraine is under study.

"We studied with our colleagues the Azerbaijani oil delivery to Ukraine and its further refinery at the Ukrainian oil refineries," Stavitsky said.

According to Stavitsky, a relevant plan has been prepared and within 10-15 days specialists from the two sides (from Azerbaijan - State Oil Company SOCAR and from Ukraine - the Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry) will work over details of this issue.

The minister went on saying that a little step should be made for renewal of oil delivery.

He expressed confidence that renewal of the Azerbaijani oil deliveries to Ukraine will be mutually beneficial.

The volume of the Azerbaijani oil delivered to Ukraine was 1. 5 million tons in 2011, Stavitsky said.

Ukraine also discussed with Azerbaijan the issue of delivery of liquefied natural gas and liquefied petrol gas, the minister said, but did not mention the possible value.

The two countries signed bilateral intergovernmental documents on the cooperation in the field of oil transportation through the territory of Ukraine in January 2011 in Davos.

Trade turnover between Ukraine and Azerbaijan was $900 million in 2012.

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