New Anatolian, Turkey
Feb 9 2007
Turkey enhances regional cooperation with Georgia and Azerbaijan
EkoTürk News Agency / Tbilisi
09 February 2007
Turkey signed an agreement with Georgia and Azerbaijan for more
regional cooperation, for energy and transportation projects in
particular.
Meanwhile; Russia, Bulgaria, and Greece signed a deal in Sofia,
Bulgaria on the same day for an oil transmission pipeline extending
from Burgaz, Bulgaria to Dedeaðaç (Alexandroupolis), Greece which
will carry Russian oil bypassing Turkish straits.
A similar project to carry Russian oil to the Mediaterranean ports
proposed by a Turkish-Italian consortium is yet to be started
materialization.
Erdoðan: Turkey Trying to Allot its Shah-Deniz Share to Georgia
Turkey is now working on allocating a part of its gas share from
Azerbaijan’s Shah-Deniz field to Georgia, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdoðan said after talks with the Georgian and Azerbaijani leaders in
Tbilisi on February 7.
`We are doing our best to allocate 800 million cubic meters of gas to
Georgia from the Turkish share by this July. This is our promise,’
Erdogan said at joint news conference in Tbilisi with the Georgian
and Azerbaijani leaders.
But President Saakashvili said at the same news conference that
Georgia will start receiving Turkey’s share of gas as soon as
Shah-Deniz is put into operation.
`First, I want to say that we will be receiving Turkey’s quota as
soon as Shah-Deniz is put into operation. At the same time Azerbaijan
will gradually increase gas supplies to Georgia. This means that the
share of more reliable and cheaper gas in Georgia’s gas consumption
balance will increase,’ Saakashvili said.
Tbilisi has already been trying for months to convince Turkey to give
up part of its Shah-Deniz gas quota in order to reduce Georgia’s
dependence on expensive Russian gas, but a final agreement has not
yet been reached.
According to Turkish media reports, Ankara is hesitating on the deal
because it already has commitments to deliver part of its Shah-Deniz
quota to Italy and Greece.
The Turkish Prime Minister also noted at the press conference in
Tbilisi that Turkey, like Georgia and Azerbaijan, faces certain
problems in energy supplies.
`But it is important to solve these problems based on solidarity
between these three countries,’ PM Erdoðan said.
President Saakashvili noted at the news conference that the most
important thing is that the three countries have managed to put into
operation an alternative energy supply route.
`This is an alternative route for Europe [to transport] oil and gas…
That is why we call this cooperation [between the three countries]
historic,’ Saakashvili added.
The three leaders signed the Tbilisi declaration on common vision for
regional cooperation.
The transport ministers from Azerbaijan and Turkey and the economy
minister of Georgia also signed an agreement on the construction of
the Baku-Akhalkalaki-Kars railway.
Azerbaijan and Georgia signed an additional agreement envisaging the
allocation of a USD 200 million loan to the Georgian side for
construction and rehabilitation of its section of the
Baku-Akhalkalaki-Kars railway.
"The Tbilisi Declaration’ On Common Vision for Regional Cooperation
We, the President of Georgia, the President of the Republic of
Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey have
gathered in Tbilisi to celebrate a new stage of intensified
cooperation among our countries.
Recognizing the significance of this meeting for the shared interest
of our nations and the entire region.
Realizing that our presence today demonstrates our commitment to
facilitate economic growth, democratization, and security in region
and Europe at large through multilateral cooperation.
Reconfirming our commitment to the provisions and principles of the
European Energy Charter Treaty.
Considering the importance of our region’s crucial location in
Eurasia.
Confirming our common desire and readiness to cooperate closely with
all our neighbors based on the principles of good neighborhood,
respect of sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of
internationally recognized borders.
Acknowledging that through our cooperation and efforts we have
already demonstrated our ability and commitment to assist each other
in overcoming challenges.
Taking into account the growing role of regional initiatives in
developing positive trends worldwide.
Sharing the understanding that intensified regional cooperation and
economic growth will significantly contribute to peaceful settlement
of existing conflicts in the region, stability, democratic
development and the prosperity of our nations.
Emphasizing our determination to work closely towards the development
of bilateral and multilateral interaction in various spheres of
cooperation.
Confirming Turkey’s significant role as a negotiating country to the
EU for further enhancing the cooperation between the region and the
EU.
Stressing the importance of successful implementation of the European
Neighborhood Policy Action Plan of Azerbaijan and the European
Neighborhood Policy Action Plan of Georgia for the region in terms of
bringing it closer to the EU.
Considering further development of the East-West Energy and Transport
Corridor as a basis of regional cooperation,
Have declared the following:
1. Today we celebrate the commencement of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars "Silk
Road’ Railway project of geo-strategic importance. The realization of
this project represents one more step in further intensifying and
expanding our cooperation as well as opens new global opportunities.
By doing so, we are complementing the existing transport connections
and contributing to safer and more rapid transportation of goods and
passengers between Europe and Asia.
2. With three successful energy infrastructure projects, the
Baku-Supsa export oil pipeline; Heydar Aliyev Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
(BTC) export oil pipeline; and the South Caucasus gas pipeline
(Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum) our cooperation has established a vital and
secure new source of energy for Europe, increasing the importance of
the Black and Caspian Sea regions and entrusting it a significant
role by contributing to the European and wider global energy
security.
3. Together, we agree to establish long-term and predictable
mechanisms that ensure the energy security of all three nations
through the reliable, timely and commercially based provision of gas
and electricity based on the infrastructure projects referenced
herein. Taking into consideration the energy needs of our countries
we appreciate the start of exploitation of Shahdeniz gas condensed
field located in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea. We agree
to continue to cooperate in order to meet mutual needs for reliable
and sustainable gas supplies.
4. We agree to support construction of a new electricity transmission
line from the Republic of Azerbaijan through the territory of Georgia
to the Republic of Turkey, as well as other appropriate projects,
which will enhance electricity exchange between the Parties in
future.
5. Working alongside with interested countries we envisage the
expansion of our cooperation to encompass the Black Sea and Caspian
Sea. We believe this approach will further enhance energy security
and contribute to greater prosperity in the region.
6. We believe that implementation of these projects, and more to be
implemented in the future, will create the infrastructure for
economic growth and long-term security of the region.
7. We express our readiness to further support the establishment of
multilateral cooperation that will ensure equal competitive
conditions, on the basis of diversification of supply sources,
transit routes and consumption markets.
8. We support active cooperation in multilateral formats, through
regional organizations and projects that further increase and promote
peace, stability and prosperity in the region and in wider Europe.
9. We attach importance to the further steps, which will facilitate
the movement of people, goods, capital and services, as a way of
fostering regional cooperation that would also contribute to the
strengthening of ties with Europe.
10. Looking to the future, we share a commitment to tangible and
commercially sustainable cooperation based on the principles of free
market economy and the common European values and experiences as an
important leverage for promotion of regional stability and security.
11. We express our belief that intensified cooperation of this nature
will enhance the ability of our countries to strengthen the security
in the region which will also have a positive impact on Europe.
12. We will continue to deepen cooperation with new activities and
investments. To this end, we have created a joint Working Group to
examine and recommend further action.
13. To contribute to the common perspectives of the region we invite
our neighbors to consider joining our efforts.
14. We express our gratitude to the Government and people of Georgia
for the warm hospitality and excellent organization of this Meeting.
15. Done in Tbilisi, on 7th February 2007, in English, in three
copies, all of them are equally authentic.