Azerbaijan plays central part in contributing to global energy supply - Obama

Azerbaijan plays a central part in contributing to the global supply of energy, and over the next two years will become a major supplier of gas to Europe, U.S. President Barack Obama's message says, Trend reported on June 3.

U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Morningstar read out the U.S president's message during the opening of the 21st International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition in Baku on June 3.

"Making the Southern Gas Corridor a reality will require hard work and close co-operation between Azerbaijan and its international partners," according to the message.

The Southern Gas Corridor is a project that will allow Europe to diversify its sources of hydrocarbon supply and strengthen energy security and enable Azerbaijan to get a new market in Europe. The gas to be produced within the second phase of the Azerbaijani gas condensate Shah Deniz field's development is considered as the main source for the Southern Gas Corridor.

"The U.S. sees the completion of this project as an important step towards expanding Europe's gas supplies, and stands ready to assist," Obama's message said.

"Your country's role as an energy supplier will enable the development of the diversified economy, strengthen the rule of law, and raise the living standards of the Azerbaijani people," the message says. "The U.S. values the continued collaboration toward these rules."

Copyright: Trend, 2014