Israel seeks long-term accord on Azeri oil import – minister

Trend news agency
8 Jun 06

Baku, 8 June, Trend correspondent R. Abdullayev: Israel is interested
in signing a long-term deal with Azerbaijan on importing oil, the
minister of national infrastructure of Israel, Binyamin Ben-Eliezer,
said at a press conference in Baku on 8 June.

The minister said that a group of businessmen who represent big energy
companies has arrived in Baku from Israel together with him. “As a
minister I tried to open the door and the private sector has to take
the next step. That is, SOCAR [State Oil Company of the Azerbaijani
Republic], BP and Israeli companies have to establish cooperation
themselves. The next stage will include discussing details of supplies
of oil and gas,” Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said.

The minister cited Israel’s agreement with Egypt on gas import. “That
agreement has been concluded for 50 plus five years. The supplies will
start as early as in 2007,” Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said.

The minister added that Israel and Azerbaijan have many common
interests. “We are just offering our experience to our Azerbaijani
counterparts. This concerns a wide range of areas, including
construction, agriculture and so on,” he said and added that he was
satisfied with the possibility for businessmen from the entire world
to operate in Azerbaijan without restrictions.