‘Forum can contribute to deeper cooperation’

ISTANBUL

The Caspian Forum may contribute to deeper cooperation, says Aliyev. AA photo

In a message from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to participants in Caspian Forum read by Ali Hasanov, the Chief of Public and Political Affairs Department at the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, Aliyev said the forum would help build better ties in the region.

“I believe the third Caspian Forum attended by officials, businessmen, scientific figures and members of civil society may contribute to deeper cooperation between countries in the region, revive the historic Silk Road and help implement large trans-national projects that are able to change the energy map of Europe,” the message read.

The Caspian region, located at the junction between East and West, has become one of the most important geostrategic centers in the last century, the president said. “Azerbaijan, as a manufacturer and exporter of rich hydrocarbon resources, occupies a significant place in the region, plays an important role in ensuring energy security of not only neighboring countries, but also Europe as a whole,” the message said.

Aliyev noted the signing of new contracts on the construction of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and Trans-Anatolian pipeline (TANAP) following the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipelines gave a powerful impetus to the implementation of the Southern Corridor project and created conditions for the transportation of the Caspian Sea’s energy resources to world markets via more profitable routes.

“Over the last ten years, the quickly growing Azerbaijani economy has opened opportunities to implement large projects in the region and world, make huge investments in fuel and energy complexes, healthcare and social infrastructure in various countries,” said the message.

The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is a next step towards reviving the Great Silk Road and will further serve to bridge gaps between various civilizations and cultures, the message says.

“I hope the discussions held at the forum and the proposals put forward will make an important contribution to the development of relations between the Caspian region countries, defining new forms and areas of cooperation and sustainable peace and stability in the region.”