When asked about the future impact of the Southern Gas Corridor on the relations between Azerbaijan and Europe, the minister explained that besides contributing to energy security in Europe, Azerbaijan is also one of the major suppliers to Georgia and Turkey.
“Further on, it is Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, Albania. The volume (capacity—Ed.) is actually much bigger than that (20 billion cubic meters—Ed.). The volume to which you refer is the volume that reaches the European market. The second point, to put it very simply: is there more gas to be supplied? Yes, there is,” Jabbarov said.
The minister called energy resources the biggest issue today. “Azerbaijan is being asked for more energy, which we have, which we are happy to supply to the market… The importance of Caspian gas and Azerbaijani gas is something that cannot be ignored,” he said.
According to Jabbarov, the opening of the Trans-Caspian corridor will also play a major role in energy and freight transportation from China to the West and in the opposite direction. He stressed that relevant joint investment projects with neighboring countries had already been prepared.
The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) runs through China, Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and the Black Sea and on to the countries of Europe. Twenty companies, including railroad administrations, ports, shipping and logistics firms from eight countries, are members of the TITR association.