UK backs Shah Deniz consortium's gas export plans
UK State Minister for European Affairs, MP David Lidington said in the UK Parliament that he supports the plans of the Shah Deniz consortium led by BP on transporting Caspian gas to the centre of Europe, the European Azerbaijan Society reported.
The Minister for European Affairs said that officially London supports the activity of the gas consortium led by BP. Lidington expressed his confidence that this fact will contribute towards the development of relations between the states.
After the meeting which was organised by Christopher Pincher, members of the UK-Azerbaijani inter-parliamentary group discussed various issues with Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov who is currently on a visit in London.
Oover 80 MPs are members of UK-Azerbaijani inter-parliamentary group.
An agreement signed on June 30 between the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and the Shah Deniz concern on the construction of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) was discussed during the meeting.
TAP is designed to transport gas from the Caspian region via Turkey, Greece and Albania to Italy. Around 19-20 billion cubic meters of gas will be exported through TAP after 2019 and this will increase the number of gas suppliers to Europe and provide its energy security.
According to Azerbaijan's Centre for Economic and Social Development, British investments amounted to 44.1 per cent of the direct foreign investments in Azerbaijan in the first six months of 2013. Currently, 3500-4000 British live and about 300 British companies operate in Azerbaijan.