Implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) large-scale project is of great importance for Europe and also contributes to the growth of Azerbaijan’s image in the international arena as a guarantor of energy security of the European continent, Giulietto Chiesa, famous Italian politician, prominent public figure, writer and journalist told Trend.

The efforts to bring Caspian gas to Europe are entering the final stretch, Vice-President for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight of the European Commission Maros Sefcovic tweeted, Trend reports Feb. 15.

The volume of direct foreign investment made in Kazakhstan increased by 15.8 percent year-on-year in the period of January-September, reaching $8.7 billion, Prime Minister Askar Mamin has said.

The negotiations between the European Union (EU) and Azerbaijan on the trade chapter of the new partnership agreement are very advanced, EU Commissioner for Trade Phil Hogan told Trend.

Almost 90 percent of the text of the EU-Azerbaijan new partnership agreement has been finalized, presidential aide, Head of Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmat Hajiyev said an interview with EURACTIV.

For the energy transition to happen in Europe, investment in the various energy sectors needs to rise to 2.5 percent to 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) a year until 2050, or roughly 1.5 percent of GDP above business-as-usual, Trend reports citing the European investment Bank (EIB).

The EU Special Representative for Central Asia, Peter Burian, and Governor of Turkmenistan's Ahal region, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, have discussed collaboration in the economic and humanitarian spheres, including the partnership between the business circles of Turkmenistan and the EU, according to Turkmen Foreign Ministry’s official website.

The European Union has confirmed its readiness to assist Uzbekistan in preparing the application for obtaining the status of beneficiary of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP +) and support Uzbekistan’s suppliers in entering the markets of the EU countries.

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov confirmed the readiness of Turkmenistan to expand the geography of gas deliveries, including the European market.

Several energy projects that envisage transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe have been included in the European Commission’s fourth list of Projects of Common Interest (PCI), local media reported, citing the European Commission.