Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Rome hosted a conference highlighting the importance of TAP project designed to transport the Caspian gas to Europe.

The event, organized by the Azerbaijani Embassy in Italy, as well as Azerbaijani-Italian Interparliamentary Friendship Group, Italian Institute for Asia and the Mediterranean Sea, saw opening remarks by member of Italian Parliament Ettore Rosato.

He stressed the importance of the adoption of the Joint Declaration on strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Italy.

Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies in the Italian Parliament Marina Sereni, in turn, described TAP project as "a strong signal of the strengthening Azerbaijani-Italian relations".

She praised Azerbaijan`s contribution to ensuring global energy security, and noted the significance of the Southern Gas Corridor.

TAP will transport natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz II field in Azerbaijan to Europe. The approximately 870 km long pipeline will connect with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) near the Turkish-Greek border at Kipoi, cross Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy.

For his part, Italian Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Andrea Olivero highlighted Azerbaijan`s strategic importance, adding Italy was interested in various fields of Azerbaijan`s non-oil sector.

Counselor of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Rome Vugar Hajiyev highlighted the importance of the event in terms of discussing the current state of Azerbaijani-Italian relations.

The diplomat recalled the conference marking 20th anniversary of the Contract of the Century and a ground breaking ceremony of the Southern Gas Corridor in Baku.

He also touched upon the Joint Declaration on strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Italy. "Azerbaijan`s relations with Italy, the country`s largest trade partner, are steadily developing in energy field," he added.

The event also featured speeches by member of Azerbaijani-Italian Inter-parliamentary Friendship Group Angelo Todaro, Italian MP Marietta Tidei, and employee of the Swiss Office of SOCAR Gunter Seymous.

The speakers stressed the importance of diversifying energy resources and highlighted prospects of TAP project.

Italy and Azerbaijan enjoy strong friendly relations. Italy recognized Azerbaijan's independence in January 1991. The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in May 1992.

Being one of Azerbaijan's major partners in Europe, Italy is Azerbaijan's number one trade partner for last seven years. It is the largest importer of Azerbaijani goods. Almost a quarter of Azerbaijan's export went to Italy in January-July 2013, compared to 22 percent in the same period in 2012. Currently, 45 Italian companies are operating in Azerbaijan in insurance, banking, trade, and other areas.

Italy and Azerbaijan successfully cooperate in the energy field as well. The selection of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) by the Shah Deniz consortium is the basis of the bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.