Azerbaijan among few countries able to turn geographic location into strategic advantage — OPINION

Azerbaijan is one of few countries able to turn its geographic location into a strategic advantage, Azerbaijani MP Parvana Valiyeva told Report while commenting on President Ilham Aliyev's remarks during Baku Energy Week.

According to her, Azerbaijan has today become one of the key actors in ensuring both regional and global energy security.

"Global energy systems are undergoing a deep transformation. At such a time, Azerbaijan is not only adapting to these changes, but is also acting as one of the countries shaping them. This is seen as the result of a sustainable and pragmatic energy policy pursued over the past 30 years. During this period, Azerbaijan has faced numerous challenges and obstacles. The commissioning of one of the major energy projects, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) main export pipeline, meant making what once seemed impossible a reality. Implemented in a complex regional geopolitical environment, this project was fully realized thanks to National Leader Heydar Aliyev's determined and resolute position and international authority. BTC strengthened economic ties between Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye, created direct access to global markets and became an important geopolitical and regional energy security project. On the 13th of next month, the 20th anniversary of BTC's commissioning will be marked. This pipeline is truly one of the most effective tools for bringing Caspian energy resources to international markets," she said.

The MP recalled that Azerbaijan also makes an important contribution to Europe's energy security through natural gas supplies, noting that cooperation with the country in renewable energy is among the EU's priorities.

"The widespread use of renewable energy sources has been identified as one of the priority areas of the energy policy pursued under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. The president's order dated May 29, 2019, formed the legal basis for liberalization of the energy market, increased competition and the transition to green energy. The adopted Law 'On the Use of Renewable Energy Sources in Electricity Production' serves as an important regulatory framework governing the legal, economic and organizational foundations in this field, as well as support mechanisms to promote green energy," Valiyeva said.

She noted that Azerbaijan is working on four green energy corridor projects, stressing that these initiatives serve the formation of the Caspian–Black Sea–Europe green energy corridor.

"Azerbaijan is becoming the region's energy hub. In this area, our country connects Central Asia with Europe. With the launch of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan green energy project, Azerbaijan will also be able to transmit clean energy from Central Asia to Europe. Thus, Azerbaijan has earned the reputation of a reliable global energy partner," she added.