THE PARLIAMENT DELEGATION OF AZERBAIJAN CONDUCTS MEETINGS IN MOSCOW
BAKU.19.04.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
Today in Moscow the sitting of the joint Parliament Commission of Milli Mejlis of Azerbaijan and the Council of Federation of the RF has passed. The First Deputy Speaker of Milli Mejlis Mr. Arif Ragimzade heads the Azerbaijan delegation.
HOPES FOR THE TURKMENIAN GAS OVERWEIGHED RIGHTS OF NATIONAL MINORITIES
BAKU.19.04.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
In spite of promises of Kiev to fill up the oil pipeline Odessa - Brodi by the Caspian oil, the pipeline remains as before "dry". We shall remind that in the end of March the Premier of Ukraine Mr. Victor Yanukovich has declared that on "on May the oil pipeline will be able to operate really". By his words, the government considers real enough to ensure the filling up the pipeline by oil. Particularly, already there are agreements between governments of the interested countries, the Premier has informed.
BAKU.19.04.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
The investments of the Turkish Company TPAO to the energetic projects of Azerbaijan since 1994 have made $1.2 bn.
BAKU.19.04.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
Confirmed oil supplies in Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan make more than 77 bn bbl totally. Such figure is brought in the statistic report of the company BP.
BAKU.19.04.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
"We do not expect that the negotiation process on the juridical status of the Caspian Sea will be adjusted in the next time. This process is very complex; there are bilateral disagreements, especial position of Iran. Nevertheless, we do not intend to dramatize the situation", - the Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Mr. Kasimjomart Tokayev has declared this in the interview to "Nezavisimay Gazeta".
By his words, "conclusion of the Convention on the Caspian status" is the prior objective. Kazakhstan maintains the conception of a necessity of conduction of negotiations in bilateral format and multisided level considering that both these version do not disagree with each other. Despite of that the negotiations on the Caspian problems pass very complexly, some progress is visible at the last time. Five Caspian states significantly have advanced in agreeing of the project of the Convention on legal status of the Caspian Sea. At the same time the sides continue to look at some main aspects of the status in different ways.
BAKU.19.04.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
Most likely that a point has not put in the unlucky story on the Japanese contract on the development of the Iranian field "Azadegan". As it is known, Tokyo after long hesitations caused by the American pressure, all the same has signed the agreement with Tehran on the development of this largest oil field. However, most likely Washington has new more weighed "arguments" as Japan has started again to hesitate. And though there are not true facts on this issue, the Minister of Oil of Iran Mr. Bijan Namdar Zangane has declared already "I, as the representative of Iran may not be responsible for refusal of Japan from the agreement on oil fields of "Azadegan".
BAKU.19.04.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
The OPEC has improved the prediction of demand for its oil expecting that the development of the Chinese economy will develop the growth of consumption of the crude in this year up to four year maximum. In his monthly report the OPEC has increased the prediction of demand for 2004 by 230 000 bbl per diem up to 26.17 MM bbl per diem.
BAKU.19.04.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
The Iranian Company of oil-bulk fleet is ready for delivering the liquidated natural gas (LNG) to China itself on a base of agreement on of the LNG deliveries to the countries of the Eastern Asia.
BAKU.19.04.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
In Azerbaijan the Azerbaijan-Turkish organization of the Business Cooperation has been founded in Moscow. As the Chief of the Management of this organization Mr Akhmet Erentok has informed, officials of business circles of both the countries (both juridical and physical persons) and businessmen of both the countries working abroad will join to it.
BAKU.19.04.2004.MEDIA-PRESS:
The Azerbaijan-Turkish organization of the business cooperation will take active part in the realization of the state program "The Social-Economical Development of Regions of Azerbaijan for 2004 - 2008". The Director of Management of the organization Mr. Akhmet Erentok has informed about this".
The participants of the sitting have discussed the measures on the legislative providing of the realization of the Program of long-term Russian-Azerbaijan economic cooperation for the period up to 2010, suggestions on unification of the national laws regulating activities of frontier and customs services of two countries and a number of other questions.
The members of the Council of Federation of the RF, deputies of the State Duma, Vice-Minister of the Economic Development and Trade of the RF Mr. D. I. Sukhoparov, the Deputy Chief of the State Custom Committee Mr. Y. F. Azarov.
After completion of the work of the commission its co-chairmen - the first Deputy Chief of Committee of the CF on the CIS issues Mr. Konstantin Markelov and Arif Ragimzade have conducted the press conference.
Just today the meetings of the Parliament delegation of Azerbaijan with the Deputy Chief of the CF Mr. A. P. Torhshin and committees of the CF on finance markets and monetary circulation, agricultural and food policy.
The meetings of the Azerbaijan parliamentarians in committees of the State Duma and interview with the first Deputy Chief of the State Duma Mrs. Lubov Sliska are planned by April 20.
At the same day the Azerbaijan delegation will return to Baku.
THE UNO HAS TAKEN THE PART OF RUSSIANS IN TURKMENISTAN, HOWEVER RUSSIA AND UKRAINE HAVE ABSTAINED
BAKU.19.04.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The UNO Commission on Human Rights has accepted strict and ultimatum resolution on Turkmenistan on its 60th session in Geneva. 25 states have voted "Yes", 11 ones - "No" and 17 have abstained.
The document worked out by the EU states and the USA expresses troubles for discrimination of the Russian, Uzbek and other national minorities in education sphere and employment, "repressive policy" of the Turkmen authorities in respect to "the oppositionist political activity", illegal arrests, disproving freedom, watching for men", limitation of freedom on receiving information and self-expression.
The separate paragraph of the document is devoted to refusal of the government of Turkmenistan to answer on the critics of the OSCE in respect to the investigation procedure, court and keeping persons called guilty in "announced effort of murder of the President Niyzov on November of 2002".
The Commission UNO has requested "to give an access to officials of the Red Cross and also advocates and relatives of the prisoners especially as who were condemned after events of November 25, 2002 and as well "immediately and unconditionally liberate all "conscience prisoners".
Besides, the HRC categorically insists on removal of limitations on activities of non-governmental social organizations, human rights watchers and activists of the civil society in Turkmenistan.
As the Russian newpaper "Vremya Novostey" writes, this is already the second resolution of the commission, which condemns the authorities of Turkmenistan for violation of human rights. The first one was accepted a year ago. And on November of the past year the General Assembly of the UNO in New York has accepted the similar document.
Though it is paradox, Russia again has not appeared amongst those who supported the resolution. In the past year the official of this country has voted at all against "anti-turkmen" resolution. Now Moscow has decided to abstain at voting. Armenia has voted in similar way. Ukraine has appeared amongst 11 states, which supported Ashgabad. This position is quite explainable: since the past year Kiev hopes to conclusion of 25-year agreement on purchasing the Turkmen gas. Mr. Leonid Kuchma waits for invitation of Turkmenbashi. However, Turkmenbashi has found out reasons three times already and the next date of visit of Mr. Kuchma to May of the present time.
By information of the newspaper "Vremya Novostey" Mr. Turkmenbashi waits for that the Ukrainian President for visit to Ashgabad, will agree himself with Moscow on guarantees of gas transit through the Russian territory. Niyazov does not start negotiations with Cremlin on transit fearing of new complication of relations.
IN SPITE OF THE PROMISES OF KIEV TO FILL UP THE PIPELINE ODESSA - BRODI BY THE AZERBAIJAN AND KAZAKHSTAN OIL IT REMAINS EMPTY
As the Premier has informed, on April Ukraine has agreed with Kazakhstan on signing of bilateral agreement on cooperation in the field of oil delivery on the territory of Ukraine to Europe as well as its processing to two million tons of oil on the Ukrainian OPP. Totally, by data of the press-service, the government of Ukraine considers possible the ensuring of deliveries of six tons of oil in 2004 for filling up the oil pipeline.
Several days later the ITAR-TASS has informed about that the governments of Ukraine and Azerbaijan intend to sign the agreement on conditions of delivery and transit of the Azerbaijan oil through the Ukrainian territory before June. The Cabinet of Ukraine has approved the project of this document and ordered to sign it to the Vice-Premier Mr. Andrei Klyuev. By the data of press-service of the Ukrainian government, it is planned to transport the crude by the pipeline "Odessa - Brodi".
On April 14, the ITAR-TASS has given a new information with a reference to the high-ranked official of the Ministry of Fuel and Energy of Ukraine, which told that the agreement on conditions of delivery and transit of the Azerbaijan oil through Ukraine, which is planned to be signed in the next time provides deliveries of 150 thou tons of this crude already on May. Further, the transit of the Azerbaijan oil will increase up to 200 thou tons per a month, and annual deliveries may make 2.4 MM tons, the official the Ukrainian Ministry of Fuel and Energy.
By his words, all principal issues are agreed and only "technical moment" of signing of the document. He has determined that the oil pipeline Odessa - Brodi will transport the Azerbaijan oil together with the crude of other countries.
However, these expressions cause perplexity in the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (the SOCAR). One of high-ranked officials of the SOCAR has declared that just he does not anything about this though by his status he should know. "Probably, the decision will be accepted on very top", - he has supposed. However it is known that at the present time Azerbaijan has not oil excesses, which could be delivered to the pipeline Odessa - Brodi. If only Ukraine buys the export oil of the SOCAR, which goes to Novorossisk or one, which is exported the companies-shareholders of the international operating company (AIOC) through Supsa.
In their turn, officials of Kazakhstan do not hurry with confirmation of declarations from Kiev. The officials of Astana do not deny that negotiations on joining of Kazakhstan to the pipeline Odessa - Brodi are conducted already very long ago. Besides, the guidance of Kazakhstan has declared that this idea in common is very interesting. However, it is not planned to join to this project for the present in the next time. Odessa - Brodi is not prior project for Kazakhstan and the CTC is on the first place and Baku - Tbilisi - Ceyhan (BTC) remains as before on the first place. Besides, Kazakhstan wants to drive the oil pipeline to China and this means that oil will be required for it.
Deputies of the Parliament of Ukraine worried by such state of things have given the inquiry to the Premier of Ukraine, the first Vice-Premier ad Vice-Premier on issues of fuel and energy for clearing up the situation. By the opinion of the deputies, the February resolution of the Cabinet "On Measures on Improvement of Using the System of Main Oil Pipelines" is executed only partially. Moreover, the deputies are indignant that the oil pipeline Odessa - Brodi, which is able to pump more 14 MM tons of oil and give $100 MM of profit delays.
Else in the beginning of February the Ukrainian government has accepted a decision on using oil pipeline for oil deliveries to Europe. Kiev has answered by the categorical refusal on numerous suggestions of the Russian companies to fill up the pipe Odessa - Brodi by their oil, however Kiev has refused categorically mainly under the pressure of the USA and EU.
After this, Ukraine should "adjust two small items - Ukraine should find oil and Poles should construct oil pipeline from Brodi up to Plotsk", by the words of the President Mr. Leonid Kuchma.
Now it is cleared up that conclusion of the agreements on oil transportation, planned for April - May is delayed for undetermined time. As experts believe, the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministries will find scarcely those who would intend to fill up the pipeline Odessa - Brodi and it should consider again the issue on reverse. Moreover, just the Ukrainian oil experts have recognized the suggestion of the Russian companies as the most profitable for Ukraine.
INVESTMENTS OF THE TURKISH COMPANY TPAO TO THE ENERGY PROJECTS OF AZERBAIJAN HAVE MADE $1.2 BN
As Media-Press has been informed in the Baku Office of this company, the Turkish Company stands on the fourth place by this rate amongst oil companies operating in Azerbaijan after BP, ExxonMobil and Statoi. This year TPAO plans to allocate else $500 MM to the Azerbaijan projects. And in the forthcoming five years this value will increase else by $2 bn.
The Company TPAO shares 6.75% of stocks in the project of the development of the fields "Azeri - Chiraq - Guneshli" in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea and this will give it the opportunity of daily production of up to 70 thou bbl of oil. TPAO has also 9% in the gas project "Shakh-Deniz", 5% in the agreement on exploration and development of the contract area "Kyurdashi", 10% - in the contract on structures "Araz - Alov - Sharg". Besides, TRAO shares 5.08% in the sponsor group organized for financing the construction of the Main Exporting Pipeline Baku - Tbilsi - Ceyhan.
BP HAS ACCOUNTED OIL SUPPLIES IN RUSSIA, AZERBAIJAN AND CENTRAL ASIA
In accordance with this data, the confirmed oil supplies in Azerbaijan make 7 bn bbl, 9 MM in Kazakhstan, 60 bn bbl in Russia, 500 MM bbl in Turkmenistan and 600 MM bbl in Uzbekistan.
By information by June 2003 the annual oil production in the numbered country made 308 thou bbl, 989 thou bbl in Kazakhstan, 7 MM 698 thou bbl in Russia, 182 thou bbl in Turkmenistan and 171 thou bbl in Uzbekistan.
The daily oil consumption in Azerbaijan made 73 thou bbl, 130 thou bbl in Kazakhstan, 2MM 469 thou bbl in Russia, 52 thou bbl in Turkmenistan and 133 thou bbl in Uzbekistan.
In accordance with data of the Iranian Agency SHANA, the confirmed oil supplies in Iran make 130 bn bbl, the daily production makes 3 MM 729 thou bbl, daily consumption - 1 MM 350 thou bbl. Data about confirmed oil supplies, daily oil production and consumption in Iran has been given without taking hydrocarbon supplies of the Caspian Sea into consideration.
THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF KAZAKHSTAN: WE DO NOT EXPECT RAPID SOLUTION OF THE CASPIAN PROBLE
"We think that it is necessary to apply some UN's regulations on the marine law of 1982 in respect to the legal status of the Caspian Sea using particularities of the sea, - Mr K. Tokaev has noted. - I want to note especially that Kazakhstan never has defended so called "lake version" of sharing by national sectors. It is necessary to divide the bottom of the Caspian Sea for getting sovereign rights of states for consumption of the natural resources. At the same time we are ready for go for most wide compromises in issues of using of water and air space for cooperation in the field of environment protection, navigation and fishery. It would be necessary only to agree a width of territorial waters and fishery zones, which will be under national jurisdiction of the states. Acceptance of similar decision would accelerate the decision of other issues, the Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan has noted.
In response to the question of the periodical about that at the last time many experts express troubles in connection with militarizing of the Caspian region, Mr. K. Tokayev has emphasized that the Caspian Sea is sensible region and an attention of the world society has been attracted to it. "A background should not appear for military conflicts here. However it should be taken into consideration that some countries including Russia have their navies here. Kazakhstan as well has founded its frontier forces, which inspect the waterline of the Caspian Sea. Our position is concluded in that all measures should be used for keeping balance of arms in this region, make it a zone of peace, well neighborhood and cooperation", - the Kazakhstan Foreign Minister has emphasized.
THESE IRRESOLUTE JAPANESE
Officials of the Japanese companies in unofficial interview declare that the field "Azadegan" with the richest oil supplies have the great importance for them and objections of Americans against the agreement don not affect in no way on their decision to work in Iran. However, the government of Japan in a case of necessity will be forced to conduct the relevant negotiations with America.
MAXIMUM PRICES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR 2004
The prices for oil basket of the OPEC are on 13 years maximum - $32.54/bbl mainly due to growing oil demands in China, low supplies of benzene in the USA and fears that wave of violence in the Middle East will negatively affect on deliveries of "black gold".
The OPEC also has increased the prediction of its oil demand by 100.000 bbl per diem in the second quarter up to 24.86 MM bbl per diem. The prediction for the third quarter as well has been increased by 110.000 bbl per diem - up to 25.96 MM bbl per diem, Reuters informs.
In this situation oil producing countries and not only ones joining in the OPEC intend to increase its hydrocarbon crude export. Russia also has mobilized forces for export. Since the beginning of the year it has expropriated 68.3 MM tons of oil that by 10.4 MM tons more than the analogous period of 2003.
By the operative information by April 15, 56.6 MM tons of oil has been exported to far abroad, oil deliveries to the nearest abroad have made 11.7 MM tons.
Meanwhile, the President of the OPEC Mr. Purnomo Yusgiantoro who executes duties of the General Secretary of the peace cartel at the same time intends to visit Moscow for conduction of negotiations with the Russian energy officials on situation on the global energetic market, which has formed in connection with sharp growth of prices for crude oil. Mr. Yusgiantoro has informed that he will visit Russia before the beginning of out of turn 131 Conference of the OPEC, which will be held in Beyrut on June 4.
As the President of the OPEC has said, he "should explain to Moscow that all last measurements conducted by the OPEC, directed in the first turn for achievement of stability of peace energetic markets and balance between demand and offer for oil crude, as well as returning of prices for "black gold" to ranges developed by the direction of the cartel and making $22 - 28 per a barrel".
By his words, "the dialogue with Russia - the second world oil exporter and co-ordinatin of oil policy with this country are important not only for the OPEC, but also for all states-large oil producers and ones consuming oil crude".
"OPEC and Russia have always found common language in the oil strategy, and they will find it in the modern complex situation on the world energy markets associated not with a deficiency of oil deliveries, but with the geopolitical reasons and operations of the barge speculators", - Mr. Yusgiantoro has said.
IRAN IS READY FOR PROVIDING CHINA BY THE LIQUIDATED GAS
By the information of the Iranian Agency SHANA, this company is ready for annual deliveries to China since 2008 by 2.5 MM tons of the LNG produced in the region of the South Pars.
Taking into account that the port Aslavie (in the Persian Gulf) is at a distance of 5110 marine miles from the Chinese terminals, the Iranian National Company of the Oil-Bulk Fleet for transportation of liquidated gas to China will use 3 specialized ships, and each of them may carry about 140 thou cubic meters of the NLG.
Annually 45 trips should be made that is each 8.5 days the LNG will be delivered to the Chinese terminals from the port Aslavie
THE AZERBAIJAN-TURKISH ORGANIZATION OF THE BUSINESS COOPERATION HAS BEEN FOUNDED IN AZERBAIJAN
For the present seven persons have joined in the management and all they are the Turkish businessmen. The sitting will be widened up to 11 persons on the next sitting in account of the Azerbaijan businessmen.
The attraction of the Turkish investments to Azerbaijan is the main objective of the organization and as well the cooperation with the analogous structures in the Great Britain, Russia, Germany, Georgia, USA is the main objective of the new organization.
Mr. Erentok has informed that for the attraction of additional investments to Azerbaijan and familiarizing of the Turkish businessmen with the investment climate in the Republic conferences will be conducted and the first of them will be held in Baku in the middle of the year already. The second will be held in Turkey in autumn. Besides, special trainings for rendering assistance in creation of professional personnel will be organized in Azerbaijan.
Mr. A. Erentok as well has noted that besides of attraction of investments to Azerbaijan from Turkey Russia should be taken into consideration. In this country many Azerbaijan businessmen work in this country and it would be quite well if they also invest to the economy of Azerbaijan. Conduction of investment conferences in Russia is supposed.
THE AZERBAIJAN-TURKISH ORGANIZATION OF THE BUSINESS COOPERATION WILL TAKE PART IN THE REALIZATION OF THE PROGRAM OF DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONS OF AZERBAIJAN
"We will attract certainly businessmen from Turkey to foundation of new enterprises in the Azerbaijan regions. There is a great potential for development of tourism in Azerbaijan. However the relevant structure and personnel are necessary for this. So we have developed the project on foundation of the Management and Tourism School and presented it for consideration of the Ministries of Education and Youth, Sport and Tourism", - Mr. A. Erentok has emphasized. He has signed that the realization of this project would promote the development of the regions of Azerbaijan and appearance of new job places.
Telling about a necessity of development of regions, Mr. F. Aliyev has noted that today the main economic potential of the country is in the capita.. So transfers of regions make totally 15% in the incomes of the state budget and a share of regions in direct investments - totally 20%.
The Minister has noted that in accordance with the forecasts already by 2008 the GDP volume will make 76.3 trln manats and increase in 2.3 times in comparison with 2003. The production of the GDP per capit will reach $1.578 thou, a share of the private sector in the GDP will grow up to 85%. During five years the agricultural production will increase by 62.5% and investments to the economy of the country will make $16.8 bn for this period.
In accordance with the forecasts of the Ministry of the Economic Development of Azerbaijan already by 2008 the time of completion of realization of the state program, that is the GDP volume will make 76.3 trln manats and increase in 2.3 times in comparison with 2003. The production of the GDP per capit will reach $1.578 thou, a share of the private sector in the GDP will grow up to 85%. During five years the agricultural production will increase by 62.5% and investments to the economy of the country will make $16.8 bn for this period.
