"In this context, we perceive Azerbaijan to be a very constructive player that can be our strategic partner with regard to providing routes for gas as well as supplying gas," said Lajcak.

According to Mammadyarov, Azerbaijan is proposing a Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline across Turkish territory, which should lead to a diversification of routes via a southern gas corridor.

"We'll participate in gas transportation from the Caspian Sea to the European Union via the gas pipeline, which will go across Georgia and part of Turkey," said Mammadyarov.

This will help improve relations with the EU and the European Commission. "It's a very important project," he noted.

The southern gas corridor is highly important for the EU from the perspective of diversifying gas supplies. The rich reserves of the Azerbaijan Shah Deniz gas field on the Caspian Sea should supply 16 billion cubic metres of gas per year, of which 10 billion will go to the EU and 6 billion to Turkey.

 

(Xinhua)