European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso says the European Union and Azerbaijan are stepping up efforts aimed at implementing the Southern Corridor project.

Speaking in Baku June 14, Barroso said both sides have agreed that this would be their priority project.

Brussels hopes the Southern Corridor, considered the key instrument for diversifying energy supplies to the EU, will be realised by 2019.

The project envisions transporting Azerbaijani gas by pipelines via Turkey and Greece to Albania, Italy, Bulgaria and on to other European markets.

Malena Mard, head of the European Union mission in Baku, has said Barroso's visit to Baku is also aimed at addressing the possibility of Azerbaijan signing an EU Association Agreement.

Bakudaily.az