Azernews.Az

Russian energy giant, Gazprom, is attempting to hold talks with the Azerbaijani government on gas purchases and to offer "great proposals," Natig Aliyev, the Minister of Energy and Industry, has said.
Aliyev noted, however, that this does not mean that Baku has accepted the proposals or will do so in the future.
"Azerbaijan has its own energy policy. The ongoing developments in the world necessitate pursuing a very prompt policy from the standpoint of security and reliability of energy corridors."
Previously, Alexei Miller, Gazprom`s Chief Executive, made a proposal during his June visit to the country to buy all gas produced in Azerbaijan, and Baku requested time to mull over the offer.
However, the minister has emphasized that Azerbaijan has many potential customers. "Therefore, I am not attaching such a great importance to these talks."
At the same time, he said negotiations should proceed and all existing proposals be studied.
"Not only Azerbaijan`s economic interests should be met, but political ones should be taken into account as well," Aliyev added.
The number of countries seeking to buy gas from the resource-rich South Caucasus republic is rising amidst increasing demands for energy resources in world markets. Turkey, Iran, Israel and a number of European states are interested in the purchases, as well.
Production from Azerbaijan`s major Shahdaniz gas field in the Caspian Sea will peak in 2010-11. During Phase 2 of the project, annual output is predicted to reach 10-20 billion cubic meters.
Shahdaniz launched production in 2006. The field holds estimated reserves of 1.2 trillion cubic meters of gas.