EU president calls Azerbaijan “reliable” energy partner

"We want to take this partnership further,” Tusk said in Baku on Wednesday. "One aim of the European energy union is to exclude the possibility of using gas as a threat. The conflict in Ukraine shows that such threats are still possible. 

"This is why the EU is dedicated to diversifying our supplies. And Azerbaijan is a main partner in this endeavor. Today, we agreed to stand united on developing the Southern Gas Corridor - a project which is in our common strategic interest - and to make sure it is completed on time, whatever our competitors do. For Europe, it is a question of diversifying supply. For Azerbaijan, it is a question of diversifying demand. 

"Azerbaijan has the potential to become one of the EU's major commercial partners in the region. The EU is already Azerbaijan's main trade partner and one of its most important investors. We will expand these commercial relations further in the coming years. I recalled that good governance and rule of law are important for creating a favorable commercial and investment climate. The EU stands ready to assist here, if needed.”

Tusk expressed the hope that Azerbaijan will soon finalize its negotiations to join the WTO.