Strategic importance of Azerbaijan discussed at political forum in US

Baku, April 20 (Baku). A political forum “Changing landscape of natural gas” has been held in Atlanta, the capital of the US state of Georgia. The forum was organized at the initiative of the Georgia Institute of Technology. The forum was attended by US Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, representative of the State of Georgia to the Senate Sam Nunn, heads of major energy companies, leading analysts, Azerbaijani Ambassador to US Elin Suleymanov. Addressing the forum, US Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz told of his country`s energy strategy in an international arena and energy projects. He underlined the importance of energy security of the US`s European allies, hydrocarbon reserves of the Caspian Sea and diversification of natural gas transportation routes. Suleymanov addressed the panel on “Thresholds of new gas era: tendencies, problems and opportunities” with a presentation entitled “Changing pattern of energy security in the Trans-European and Eurasian regions.” The diplomat provided an insight into the energy diplomacy of Azerbaijan which has proved its worth as a reliable partner in the energy market, told about the Contract of the Century and its importance in transportation of energy resources to the West. He noted that effective use of energy resources is based on the strategic approach in Azerbaijan, saying large-scale projects being implemented embody the strategic view and political will of the country. He underlined the south corridor project, which is about to change the geopolitical landscape of Europe. The panel also heard the presentation “Changing global and national landscape: Overview” by Sarah Ladislaw, director and senior fellow at the Energy and National Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. She emphasized that the US may consider exporting gas in the future, but exports will be Asia-bound mainly in order to make them cost-effective. The Azerbaijani gas will therefore retain its strategic importance for Europe for many years into the future. The representatives of the US energy majors and researchers made presentations on the recovery of the energy sector in the North America, gas revolution’s impact on the south-east of the US. As part of his Atlanta visit, Suleymanov spoke of Azerbaijan`s energy diplomacy at the Sam Nunn School for International Affairs founded in 1885.