The Minister of Energy held several meetings within the framework of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council

The Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov held several meetings within the framework of the fifth meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council. During the meeting with Gunter Oettinger, the European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources, the parties have discussed energy cooperation with the European Union and perspectives for expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor. The importance of organizing the event with the participation of Balkan countries was emphasized.

During the meeting with Natella Turnava, the Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, the role of this country as a project member, the benefits of transit by the Southern Gas Corridor and its contribution to economic development were discussed. The importance of expanding cooperation in the field of electric power was emphasized.

The discussions with Fatih Donmez, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey, focused on the regional and global significance of TANAP and other projects, the development of cooperation in renewable energy sector and the importance for exchange of experiences.

"Bulgaria is the first country to support the Southern Gas Corridor project. Bulgaria is also a buyer of Shahdeniz gas and is an important country in diversification of the Southern Gas Corridor. Both Greece-Bulgaria interconnector and other connecting pipelines starting from Bulgaria will create opportunities for further diversification of supply to other countries in Southeastern and Central Europe." These statements were mentioned during the meeting with the Minister of Energy of Bulgaria, Temenujka Petkova, where the implementation progress of the projects was also discussed.

The Minister also met with Andrea Cioffi, the Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Italy. By highly appreciating the participation and position of Italy at the Advisory Council, the Minister underlined the importance of expanding cooperation between the two countries in the renewable energy sector.

Andrea Cioffi expressed his country's interest in diversification of the Southern Gas Corridor project and pointed out that TAP would contribute to the development of the Balkan countries gas pipeline network.

At the meeting with the delegation led by Shamil Ayrim, the Head of Turkey-Azerbaijan Interparliamentary Friendship Group, the joint energy projects implemented with the participation of the two countries were discussed. It was emphasized that the friendship and brotherhood-based relations will further boost the initiation of new projects.

It was also underlined that increasing influence of Turkey and Azerbaijan in energy projects will provide regional development and stability.