Azerbaijan will be receiving great benefits as a result of Southern Gas Corridor for at least a hundred years

Baku, July 11 (AzerTAc). “As a result of the Southern Gas Corridor project, we will be receiving great benefits from gas exports for at least a hundred years to come and Azerbaijan's role in the world will increase further. Over the course of these six months serious steps have been taken in the oil and gas sector, in particular in connection with the Southern Gas Corridor. Preliminary tenders have been announced. It is possible to say that the implementation of the TANAP project has already begun. Preparations for the construction are well under way. I believe that we will implement this major project on time,” President Ilham Aliyev told the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the results of socioeconomic development in the first half of 2014 and objectives for the future. The head of state noted: “The initiator of the Southern Gas Corridor is Azerbaijan. This project will hugely benefit Azerbaijan, its neighbors and European countries. Azerbaijan has demonstrated leadership qualities in this issue too. These three projects – "Shah Deniz-2", TANAP and TAP – will redraw the energy map of Europe, turn Azerbaijan into a very important economic and energy partner and, most importantly, secure the well-being of the Azerbaijani people in economic and financial terms.” President Ilham Aliyev said: “Today, energy policy is an integral part of our overall policy, an issue of national security not only for us but also for all countries. Some tension observed in the region and Europe in recent months shows again that no country can feel comfortable or pursue an independent policy without energy security. We have long provided for our energy security and are now playing a role in the energy security of other countries. This is a positive role. Our philosophy and approach to this issue lie in the fact that energy resources should expand cooperation and strengthen unity. By pursuing this policy, we certainly provide for our national interests. Today, our interests are provided for both in the region and in the world. In the coming years, due to the implementation of the TANAP project, tens of thousands of new jobs will be created in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani companies will participate in these projects.”