Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan: We will have long-term gas supplies to Bulgaria

Negotiations between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria on Azeri natural gas supplies continue. Azerbaijan's Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov is visiting the country and met with Prime Minister Kiril Petkov a few days ago. Today, May 11, Minister Shahbazov gave a special interview for BNT on the topic of energy sources and diversification of gas supplies.

What is Azerbaijan's role in gas supply to the Balkans?

Parviz Shahbazov: You know that Azerbaijan is the initiator of the big Southern Gas Corridor project, through which Azerbaijani gas is already being supplied to the Balkans. Of course, Bulgaria is one of the countries receiving this gas directly through the Greece-Bulgaria interconnector. Azerbaijan has a long-term project with your country in accordance with which, under this contract, we will have long-term supplies of natural gas directly from Azerbaijan to Bulgaria via the same infrastructure.

How do you think Azerbaijan views the role of the interconnector between Bulgaria and Greece, is it really strategic as everyone thinks?

Parviz Shahbazov: Yes, it is an absolutely important link in the Southern Gas Corridor project, because initially seven countries were involved in this project, including Bulgaria, which is joining the Southern Gas Corridor through this interconnector, as well as for its full implementation. At the first stage of the Southern Gas Corridor, this interconnector is of great importance.

As we see today, it is also of great importance to Romania, since it also passes through Bulgaria?

Parviz Shahbazov: You know, it has to be said that Bulgaria has a sufficiently branched network of interconnectors with its neighbours. So, if Azerbaijani gas reaches the Bulgarian market, and today it is already being supplied to this market, then when the Greece-Bulgaria interconnector is ready, supplies will increase. And, of course, through Bulgaria, Azerbaijani gas will be possible, in practice, to reach the neighbouring countries through the other interconnectors.

How do you see the stability of supplies in this plan, in terms of energy security?

Parviz Shahbazov: As you know, within the Southern Gas Corridor, long-term contracts have been signed and Azerbaijan has always fulfilled its obligations not only under these contracts, but throughout the history of its activity in the area of energy negotiations. Today, we have long-term contracts within the Southern Gas Corridor. They have been signed for long term some of them for 25 years, so within their framework Azerbaijan will fulfil its obligations, this will be secure and long-term.

Is Azerbaijan prepared to increase the amount of gas to Europe, and in particular to the Western Balkans?

Parviz Shahbazov: As you know, the Southern Gas Corridor was designed from the very beginning in such a way that the capacity of energy supplies, in this case natural gas, could be doubled. So now we are working on the expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor and, when this infrastructure is brought into line, of course within the framework of the given project, we will increase the supply of natural gas from Azerbaijan to Europe.

Where is Bulgaria on the Azerbaijani energy map?

Parviz Shahbazov: I can say that through the Southern Gas Corridor project Bulgaria is a direct partner for Azerbaijan. Today this infrastructure unites us and therefore Bulgaria is a very important partner for us in this area.

Bulgaria is negotiating with Azerbaijan for additional gas supplies. To what extent do you think it is possible to increase the amount of gas through the gas interconnector between Greece and Bulgaria?

Parviz Shahbazov: Today we are working to increase the supply of the contracted natural gas by the end of the year and to achieve that the interconnector between Greece and Bulgaria is put into operation. Once this is done, the supply of contracted natural gas to Bulgaria will be increased.

Is Azerbaijan interested in other energy projects to be implemented in Bulgaria and the Balkans?

Parviz Shahbazov: It all depends on what energy projects you are talking about. But today I think we are all committed to the issue of the full implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor. Once the first stage of this project is completed, I think we can, within the framework of bilateral contacts and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria, also consider other projects, such as green energy projects. Azerbaijan today is very seriously dealing with these issues within the country, so we could also cooperate with Bulgaria in this area.

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