Anadolu Agency, Turkey
Oct 22 2009
Turkey to support all energy projects in Azerbaijan’s interests – minister
["TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER: AZARBAIJAN IS BRIDGING BLACK SEA AND CASPIAN"]
BAKU (A.A) -22.10.2009 -Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said
on Thursday Azarbaijan was the most important country bridging the
Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.
Davutoglu, who is attending the 21st meeting of the Council of Foreign
Ministers of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) in Azerbaijan,
said this country made huge contributions to BSEC.
He said the BSEC developed cooperation projects – encompassing both
Black Sea littoral states and surrounding countries – like the Black
Sea-Caspian Sea motorway.
Davutoglu said Azerbaijan would be the bridge between the Turkic
world, the Black Sea, Turkey and Europe.
He said Turkey would support all energy projets in Azerbaijan’s best
interest expressing his hope that differences with this country in the
field of energy would be settled shortly.
"It’s up to Azerbaijan. Which ever project Azerbaijan prefers, and
views it in its best interest we will support that project. Turkey
will not consider anything other than Azerbaijan’s interests in these
matters," said Davutoglu.
Davutoglu’s visit comes at a time when relations between the two
countries are somewhat strained.
Azerbaijan which has been uneasy about the recent rapprochement
between Turkey and Armenia voiced concern and sought reassurance from
the government of Turkey that it would not reopen borders with Armenia
before a settlement to the Upper-Karabakh dispute.
Turkey and Armenia signed two protocols recently to normalize
relations which among other things foresees reciprocal opening of
borders between the two countries and mutual recognition of existing
borders.
Though Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other officials promised not
to open borders before a settlement was reached, Azerbaijan announced
it would raise the price of natural gas sold to Turkey and look for
alternatives routes bypassing Turkey to carry its gas to Europe in
reprisal for recent Turkey-Armenian rapprochement.
Turkey and Armenia had no diplomatic ties or economic relations since
Turkey closed its border with Armenia after this country invaded the
Upper-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in 1992, until recently when the
two countries agreed about a month ago on a protocol to establish
relations after months-long Swiss mediated talks.