Addressing a press conference in Baku Dec. 15, Hochstein said Washington will go on supporting the SGC project’s implementation in the same way as once it supported and realized the importance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.

"The Unites States is closely working with Azerbaijan and its allies to ensure that the Southern Gas Corridor project is completed and is successful,” he said.

"SGC is important not only for Azerbaijan, but also critical for energy and political security of Europe,” added Hochstein.

He pointed to the important role of the SGC project under the conditions when Europe is facing the threat of energy monopolies, threatening their economic and political security.

"Therefore, Azerbaijan plays an important role in ensuring Europe's energy security,” added Hochstein.

The Southern Gas Corridor is a priority energy project for the EU. SGC would transport 10 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas to European countries through Georgia and Turkey.

Azerbaijan’s Shah Deniz 2 is considered as the main gas source for the Southern Gas Corridor. Other sources can also join this project at a later stage.

In the second phase of the Shah Deniz development, the gas will be exported to Turkey and European markets through expansion of the South Caucasus Pipeline and the construction of TANAP and TAP.