Bulgargaz asks Baku to deliver gas on another route by July 1 next year, Azerbaijani ambassador to Bulgaria says
– Mr. Ambassador, the rise in the price of gas in Bulgaria from November 1 raised the question why our country imports 3 times less than the agreed gas from Azerbaijan, especially since Azeri gas is 4 times cheaper than Russian. What is your comment?
– First I must note the agreement that was concluded between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan in 2013 for the supply of 1 billion cubic meters of gas to Bulgaria for a period of 25 years. According to this agreement, on December 31, 2020, the gas from Azerbaijan started flowing to Bulgaria, and the gas flow had to pass through the Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) interconnector from Komotini to Stara Zagora.
But due to the delay in the construction of the interconnector, Azerbaijani gas is supplied by an alternative route – from Siderokastro (Greece) to Kulata (Bulgaria). Due to the technical aspects of this alternative route, Azerbaijan cannot supply the entire amount of gas, but only a third of it.
This is the reason for the smaller amount of Azerbaijani gas that Bulgaria currently imports. Azerbaijan will fulfill its commitment to deliver the agreed 1 billion cubic meters of gas and I want to assure you that as soon as the Greece-Bulgaria interconnector comes into operation, Bulgaria will start receiving the full volume of Azerbaijani gas under the 2013 agreement.
– It was reported that Bulgargaz has twice negotiated with the authorities in Baku so that Bulgaria can at least partially benefit from the signed quantities of gas. What is the last agreement?
– As I have already mentioned, due to the delay in the construction of the IGB gas pipeline, Bulgargaz addressed the Azerbaijani side with a request for delivery of the agreed gas on the alternative route Siderokastro – Kulata from December 31 last year to the autumn of this year. commissioning of the Greece-Bulgaria interconnector was postponed for next year, Bulgargaz had to request an extension of the agreed agreement until July 1, 2022. In this regard, we hope that the construction of the IGB will be completed as soon as possible. soon it will work at its full capacity.
– In the next delay in the construction of the interconnector connection between Bulgaria and Greece, can we look for something more? For example, intentional inaction?
– The timely completion of the construction of the interconnector and its immediate commissioning is in the direct interest of Bulgaria and we believe that our Bulgarian partners together with their Greek counterparts will be able to perform all necessary activities on time and without further delay.
We wouldn’t want to
to believe that there is
intentional inaction
For its part, Azerbaijan has always shown understanding for the current situation and continues to provide assistance and support to its strategic partner – the Republic of Bulgaria.
– Last year, just at that time, the war in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan ended. What is the balance sheet and can this conflict be considered over?
– On September 27 last year, after another military provocation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia against the Republic of Azerbaijan, a new war between the two countries began. It lasted 44 days and ended in victory for Azerbaijan. A joint agreement was signed by Armenia and Azerbaijan on the withdrawal of Armenian troops from the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
Thus, Azerbaijan liberated its internationally recognized territories, which were under the occupation of Armenia for almost 30 years, thus fulfilling the resolutions of the UN Security Council, as well as the decisions taken by the Non-Aligned Movement, the OSCE, PACE, the European parliament, NATO and other international organizations, and demanded the complete, immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian occupation forces from all Azerbaijani territories.
After the end of the war, the government of Azerbaijan began active activities for rehabilitation and restoration of the liberated territories. At the moment
perform a large number
infrastructure projects,
road construction,
railways,
airport, etc. To ensure peace and security in the conflict region, a monitoring center has been set up by Russia and Turkey to monitor the implementation of the General Agreement signed by Armenia and Azerbaijan on November 10, 2020. The biggest problem in carrying out reconstruction activities is the huge number of mines placed in the past by Armenia in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. Only after their complete elimination can we expect the restoration of normal life in this region. Despite this fact, however, we can say that the conflict is a thing of the past and we must now think about peace, security and cooperation.
– The opening of the Zangezur corridor between Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan through the territory of Armenia was agreed in the agreement after the end of the war, but a year later the Armenians do not seem to agree. How can they be convinced that this is in their favor? At the same time, can the non-fulfillment of this commitment lead to a new conflict?
– Of course, the provisions of the General Agreement of 10 November contain clauses to remove any obstacles to the development of economic and transport links in the region, as well as to ensure the free and safe movement of people, vehicles and goods in both directions between Armenia. and Azerbaijan, including the link between mainland Azerbaijan and its belonging Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic.
With the opening of
The Zangezur corridor
Armenia gets direct
connection with its main
economic partner
and Turkey, which will certainly contribute to the development of economic growth, which has suffered a significant decline in the last year.
The restoration of all transport links and communications, as well as the opening of all borders, is a prerequisite for the further development of the full capacity of the economy, trade and cooperation both between the two countries and in the region as a whole and is in the interest of all countries.
As for the possibility of a new conflict, we have had enough conflicts so far, and I very much hope that reason, wisdom and pragmatism will prevail and that the Armenian people will choose peace and cooperation with neighboring Azerbaijan instead of constant war and hatred.
The Government of Azerbaijan considers the Armenian population in the Azerbaijani region of Karabakh to be an integral part of its society, guaranteeing it equal constitutional rights and freedoms with other Azerbaijani citizens. When two neighbors are in constant enmity and misunderstanding with each other, it is contrary to all wisdom and foresight.
Republic
Azerbaijan recognizes
independence,
sovereignty and
territorial integrity
of the Republic of Armenia and
wants the same attitude
to himself on the other side. We do not want more war and we insist on the establishment of lasting and long-term peace, security and cooperation in the region.
– Do you think it is possible to ever live in peace with the Armenians after so much mutual damage in the last three decades?
– Yes, of course it is possible. In the past, the two peoples have lived in peace and understanding. Former Armenian President Robert Kocharian noted the existence of “genetic incompatibility” between Armenians and Azerbaijanis, with which we cannot agree. There is no such thing as “genetic incompatibility” between nations.
There may be celebrities
problems you need
to be allowed,
to reach mutual understanding and cooperation.
During the conflict with Armenia, 30,000 Armenian communities lived within the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, which still lives there today. Residents of Armenian origin have lived in peace and security as full citizens of Azerbaijan.
In the future, all constitutional rights of Azerbaijani citizens, including Armenians from the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, will be ensured. The Republic of Azerbaijan is a multinational country in which representatives of different nations and religions have lived together for centuries in conditions of peace, mutual respect and prosperity.
Yes, we must not forget our history, but we must live not in the past but in the future and strive for peace and prosperity in the name of a secure and prosperous future for the next generations of the two peoples.
– .
