THE ISSUE OF FULL PRIVATIZATION OF ELECTRIC ENERGETIC FIELD OF AZERBAIJAN DOES NOT STOP IN AGENDA
BAKU.15.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The issue of full privatization of the JC "Azeenerji" does stop in agenda at the present time, the President of the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan Mr. Etibar Pirverdiyev has said.
BAKU.15.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The President of Georgia Mr. Michail Saakashvili has declared to journalists on Monday in Poti that there should not be any question about compromise with "bandits, who have occupied the administrative frontier of Ajaria".
BAKU.15.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: Today the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev has congratulated Mr. Vladimir Putin with reelection of him to the post of the President of Russia.
BAKU.15.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: Today the seventh sitting of the Azerbaijan-Uzbek intergovernmental commission on the economic cooperation has started in Tashkent.
BAKU.15.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: On March 17, the delegation of the Norway Company Statoil headed by the Vice-President on technological issues Mr. Terie Overvick.
BAKU.15.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: This year the investments of the Azerbaijan-Turkish JC Anshad Petrol to the development of the contract area Neftchala-Khilli-Durovdag will make $1.5 MM.
BAKU.15.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: "The Bank of Georgia" and oil pipeline company BTC have signed the agreement on cooperation in Tbilisi, which touches upon spending means allocated by the International Financing Corporation, the European Reconstruction and Development Bank and other donors for realization of the project of the construction of the oil pipeline Baku - Tbilisi - Ceyhan.
BAKU.15.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The next sitting of the Special working group on determination of the legal Caspian status will be held in Baku on March 16 - 17. The diplomatic sources have informed about this on Friday.
BAKU.15.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The project of development of hydrocarbon resources in the southeast area of the Caspian Sea may become an example for cooperation in the sea between Turkmenistan, Iran and Russia. The Deputy Foreign Minister, the Special Envoy of the President of Russia on adjustment of the status of the Caspian Sea Mr. Victor Kalyuzni has expressed such opinion after completion of consultations with the head of Turkmenistan.
BAKU.15.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: Since January 21 up to February 19 the Iranian natural gas deliveries to Turkey grew more than by 255% in comparison with the analogous period of the past year. The Information Center Director of the Iranian National Gas Company Mr. Abbas Pasdar has said in the interview to the agency SHANA.
By his words, in many countries high-voltage lines of electric power transmission and dispatching service of managing the energetic field is under authorities of the state, though the electric stations may the private state property at the same time. For the present privatization of small hydroelectric power stations has started as the first step. From 5 small HEPS offered for privatization two ones were privatized and the work in this trend will be continued, - the chief of "Aenerji" has said.
Mr. E. Pirverdiyev has informed that the government receives suggestions on privatization of separate electric stations as well the construction of new. Mainly intensions on the construction of new stations are supported, he has noted.
At the present time four heating electric power stations and five electric power ones operate in the country.Their project capacity makes 5000 MWt, and real production exceeds only 4000 MWt.
A START OF CIVIL WAR AGAIN THREATENS TO GEORGIA
MR. MICHAIL SAAKASHVILI DECLARES THAT HE DOES NOT AGREE WITH "BANDITS". MR. ASLAN ABASHIDZE HAS APPEALED TO THE WORLD COMMUNITY WITH A CALL TO STOP TBILISI IN ITS EFFORTS TO PRESS ON THE AUTONOMY
"Either we will stand up together and remove banditry, feudalism and betrayal or we will stop our existence as a state", - Mr. M.Saakashvili has said.
Answering on the question about terms of ultimatum announced to the President of Ajaria Mr. Aslan Abashidze, the President has declared that "there is no question about the ultimatum, I has said that I said and everybody should make the relevant conclusions".
In the evening on Sunday Mr. M. Saakashvili spoke out with appeal to the people of Georgia and told that he had ordered him to start immediately the process of disarming of illegal armed detachments in Ajaria. The President of Georgia also has said to journalists that the leadership of Ajaria should provide the central authorities for a right on controlling of frontier, sea, communications and port.
The President has informed that he gave a time up to Monday to the President of Ajari in order he ensures free passing of the President of Georgia and officials through the territory of Ajaria, provides each resident of Afjaria a right on free speaking out ideas within frameworks of Constitution and free participation in the forthcoming Parliament Elections in Georgia
Meanwhile, Mr. A. Abashidze has declared on Monday in interview to the Ajar TV that the conflict between Tbiliisi and Batumi has resulted to losing of credit to the chiefs of Georgia from the side of authorities of Abkhazia and South Osetia. "The credit to present authorities in Abkhazia and South Osetiya has weakened", - he has said.
"At the time of the first president we lost the South Osetia, of the second - Abkhasia; the third President continues the same way and Ajaria is the next", - Mr. A. Abashidze has said.
On March 13 at the meeting with journalistts Mr Aslan Abashidze appealed to the public call to the world community "to stop Tbilisi in its efforts to press on Ajaria".
"I would like to bring our voice up to the highest-ranked organizations, both the European and world ones including the European Council, the UN Safety Council, our neighbors - Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia, chiefs of leading countries of Europe in order to stop a force, which will remain heavy consequences after itself", - he has declared on the press conference in Moscow.
Mr. A. Abashidze has reminded that in accordance with true information on Monday about hundred thousand persons intend to march to Ajaria from the different regions of Georgia. Militarily trained persons are amongst them, the President of Ajaria has emphasized.
As well he has noted that interior troops of Georgia and by his words commandos detachments on the base in Vaziany have been brought into military preparedness.
"Russia and neighbor states must to prevent to aggression in Ajaria", - he has emphasized.
Mr. A. Abashidze has also noted "the problems do not originate from the Ajar Republic". "In any case we try to solve problems in peaceful way", - he has said.
Answering to the question of journalists, Mr. A. Abashidze has informed that "the group of persons known in the USA make all possible for inform the US authorities about our troubles". The President of Ajaria also has noted that he continues negotiations with the President of Georgia through intermediaries.
He has emphasized a danger for the Georgian state from the conflict between the Georgians. "Ajaria is the advanced post of the Georgian unity. All sensible people should understand this", he has said.
"False claims to the authorities of Ajaria from the side of the central authorities of Georgia are not occasional", - Mr. A. Abashidze has declared to journalists in Batumi before his departure to Moscow. I do everything for stop of brother-killing war. Unfortunately, conflicts in Abkhazia and Osetia started from the center as well as overthrowing the first legal President of Georgia. I call the nation, the people of the country to oppose to wild outburst of pluralism, bacchanalia and illegal actions. Otherwise a peace will never be available in our territory.
In formed situation both sides expect for actions of Moscow. At the same time officials in Tbilisi declare that the Russian tanks have appeared in Adjaria and Batumi denies this.
On Monday the Georgian mass media have spread the information that as if in the Khevachaur region of Ajaria six Russian tanks started to move on Monday morning. They came out from the Russian military base. The Ministry of Interior called this information as provocation. As Interfax-ABN informs, on the 12th Russian military base dislocated in Adjaria a vigilance has been amplified for escaping a possible provocation and drawing of the personnel into the inner Georgian conflict.
"The Russian servicemen declare categorically about their entire neutrality and prevention to their drawing into the inner Georgian conflict", - the official of the staff of the Russian Army Group in Transcaucasus colonel Mr. Vladimir Kuparadze has informed "Interfax-ABN". By his words "a vigilance have been improved for a case if efforts of seizing the arms of the Russian servicemen take place"
THE PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN THINKS THAT THE CONVINCING VICTORY OF VLADIMIR PUTIN ON THE PRESIDENT ELECTIONS REFLECTS A WILL OF THE SOCIETY
"The convincing victory, which you has got on elections reflects a will of the Russian society, demonstrates its full supporting off your resolute stating, deep social-economical reform, consequent foreign policies. I am very glad that under your leadership the friendly Russia coming out to the new way of development strengthen its influence in the world community", - it is noted in the message.
The President of Azerbaijan has expressed his sureness that bilateral relations, wide-scaled communications between Azerbaijan and Russia "will further develop in all fields towards of deepening of strategic partnership and in interests of peoples of two countries, which lived historically in the atmosphere of friendship, good neighboring and mutual advantageous cooperation".
THE SEVENTH SITTING OF THE AZERBAIJAN-UZBEK INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION ON THE ECONOMIC COOPERATION IN TASHKENT
As Media-Press has been informed in the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Azerbaijan, during two days the issues of the further development of economic cooperation between two countries will be discussed. The preparation for the official visit of the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev to Tashkent on March 23 - 24 will be else one important point of the work of the commission.
As Media-Press informed earlier, the commission will prepare a number of agreements on cooperation in the economic, transport fields and consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs as well possibly in the field military-technical field for the forthcoming visit.
We shall note that during the visit of the President of Azerbaijan, besides of the official negotiations and signing of a number of documents, the ceremony of opening of new buildings of Embassy of Azerbaijan and cultural center of the Azerbaijan-Uzbek Friendship, in front of which the monument to Mr. Geydar Aliyev will be opened, should be held.
Besides, in these days the monument to the great Azerbaijan poet and philosopher Mr. Nizami Gyanjevi will be opened in the Uzbek capital. It will be built in front of the University, which has been called under his name.
THE MANAGEMENT OF THE NORWAY STATOIL WILL FAMILIARIZE WITH THE COURSE OF THE REALIZATION OF ITS PROJECT IN AZERBAIJAN
As Media-Press has been informed in the office of the company Statoi-Azerbaijan, the officials of Statoil held meetings with the officials of the country and as well with the partners of the company in Azerbaijan. As it has been emphasized in Statoil-Azerbaijan, now it is the most active period of realization of the projects "Azeri - Chiraq - Guneshli", "Shakh-Deniz", the construction of the project "Baku - Tbilisi - Ceyhan (BTC) and South-Caucasus gas pipeline in Azerbaijan. So the management of the company has decided to visit to the region with a purpose of familiarization on the place with these works.
Since 1992 (the time of appearance of "Statoil" in Azerbaijan" the Norway Company has invested about $1.23 bn to the republic. At the present time Statoil shares in "Azeri - Chiraq - Guneshli" (8.5%), "Araz - Alov - Sharq" (15%) and "Shakh - Deniz" (25.5%). As well Statoil is the operator of the Azerbaijan Gas Purveying Company (AGPC), which will be engaged in gas sales from the field "Shakh-Deniz" to the markets of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. As well Statoil is the commercial operator of the South-Caucasus gas pipeline (25.5%) and has 8.71% sharing in the pipeline Baku - Tbilisi - Ceyhan.
INVESTMENTS OF THE JC ANSHAD PETROL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONTRACT AREA NEFTECHALA-KHILLI-DUROVDAG IN 2004 WILL MAKE $1.5 MM
As Media-Press has been informed in the SOCAR, for the present only 178 wells of 600 ones operate. In the current year the capital repairs of five wells will be carried out, else four ones will be drilled - by one well inn the fields "Neftchala" and "Khilli" and two - on the field "Durovdag". And on the field "Babazanan" the exploration drilling will be renewed. Earlier the drilling of the exploration well started there, however it was not completed. Now it is planned to restore the well and continue the drilling up to the project depth.
Anshad Petrol - is the joint company founded by the SOCAR and Turkish Attila Dogan Petroleum of Turkey in 1993. This is the first agreement of the SOCAR, which was concluded with the foreign partner. Every day 130 - 135 tons of oil are produced on the contract area. In comparison with 1994 this is by 31.4% more. Up to January 1, 2004 the JC produced 313 thou tons of oil and 172.3 MM cubic meters. The investments to the development of the contract made $45.5 MM.
The contract area Neftchala-Khilli - Durovdag is situated in the low basin of the river Kura and includes fields "Babazanan", "Khilli", "Neftchala", "Khashimkhanli", "Shorsulu","Orta Muganli", "Muganli", "Sarkhanbeili", "Azadkend" and "Nasimikend". The proper terminal in the Caspian sea is at the disposal of the operator.
"THE BANK OF GEORGIA" AND BTC CO HAVE SIGNED THE AGREEMENT ON COOPERATION
In accordance with the document, "The Bank of Georgia" will provide financing services to the Georgian part of the project and as well banking of means allocated to the project BTC jointly with the organizations CitiCorp., Trustee Limited, Societe Generl and others.
After signing of the agreement "Bank of Georgia" has joined to the global finance conglomerate uniting 78 companies and organizations of different profile for realization of the project of the pipeline Baku - Tbilisi - Ceyhan. We shall remind that 8 exporting credit agencies, 3 international finance institutes and 15 commercial banks are creditors of the project BTC
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TOMORROW THE NEXT SEETING OF THE WORKING GROUP OF THE CASPIAN STATES ON DETERMINATION OF THE CASPIAN STATUS OPENS IN BAKU
During the sitting experts from Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan should continue the work on convention on the sea status. The Azerbaijan side has worked out project of the document, which was presented for consideration of sides at the first time at the expert sitting in Baku a year ago.
And today the special Envoy of the President of Iran on the Caspian Status, the Deputy Foreign Minister of this country Mr. Mehdi Safari arrives today in Baku. Up to opening of the sitting of the working group he will conduct bilateral negotiations with his Azerbaijan colleague Mr. Khalaf Khalafov.
IS THE PROJECT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTH-EAST PART OF THE CASPIAN SEA AN EXAMPLE OF COOPERATION OR AN APPLE OF DISCORD BETWEEN TURKMENISTAN, IRAN AND TURKMENISTAN?
"This project should not be a conflict of interests of the Caspian states anyway", - Mr. Kalyzni has emphasized and noted that "for the present there is not similar conflict of interests in the Northern area of the Caspian Sea due to efforts of Russia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan"/
Mr. Kalyuzni has reported that perspectives of realization of the large project at the participation of the consortium "Zarit" were discussed with the President of Turkmenistan Mr. Saparmurat Niyazov".
The Russian companies "Itera", "Rosneft" and "Zarubejneft", which prepared the project of the agreement on production sharing with the government of Turkmenistan, founded "Zarit" two years ago. However its signing was postponed twice for declarations of Teheran that oil field blocks mentioned in the project are mainly within 20% Caspian zone, which Iran pretends for in the process of adjustment.
Not occasionally the high-ranked Russian diplomat has mentioned the conflict of interests, because as "Nezavisimay Gazeta" has reminded recently, Turkmenbashi almost embroiled Russia with Iran.
By the information of the Moscow issue, "Russia and Iran almost have been involved into the conflict. And the President of Turkmenistan Mr. Saparmurad Niyazov has appeared main instigator with skill peculiar for him. On February a term of signing of the contract between the consortium "Zarit" and the government of Turkmenistan on the development of the Caspian shelf expired.
Moreover, "by technical reasons", the terms of the signing of the contract were postponed repeatedly. The events around widely advertised foundation of the consortium "Zarit" are typical for many projects, where Niyazov is one of figurants. There is much noise, however results are zero. So having concluded 25 years agreement with "Gazprom" on gas deliveries, at the same time Turkmenbashi conducts analogous negotiations with Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Iran. Evidently, gas will not be sufficient for all consumers".
The Russian state companies starting the joint project with Turkmenbashi, intended possibly to strengthen their positions. And the sector of the Caspian Sea allotted to "Zarit" for the development has been recognized the richest on hydrocarbon resources in accordance with results of researches of the international seismic service. By estimations of independent experts, its supplies have made 11 bn ton of oil and 5.5 trln. cubic meters of gas.
The former Vice-Premier of the government of Turkmenistan, former Director of the Cenral Bank and now on of the leaders of the Turkmen opposition Mr. Khudayberdi Orazo has said to "NG": "The Russian side has begun to consider carefully this idea. And this is clear if take the place where "Zarit" supposed to produce oil - this is southeast of the Caspian Sea near the Turkmen-Iranian frontier. Probably, officials in Moscow have understood that they had been caught in the next trap of Niyazov. The start of drilling in this sector would bring automatically to the confrontation with Iran, which opposes to any activities in the Caspian Sea, especially as on the frontier with its waterline up to determination of the Sea status".
THE IRANIAN NATURAL GAS DELIVERIES TO TURKEY HAVE GROWN BY 255% FOR A YEAR
By his words, for the mentioned period 3.2 bn cubic meters were delivered to Turkey. Totally since the start of operation of gas contract between two countries their volume has made 4.840 bn cubic meters. As Mr. Abbas Pasdar has noted, Turkey is the single country, which receives the natural gas from Iran on a base of agreement accounted for 25 years.
In accordance with the schedule, gas deliveries from Iran to Turkey initially should make 3 bn cubic meters annually and further they will increase up to 10 bn cubic meters annually.
As to gas deliveries from Turkmenistan to Iran, by the words of Mr. A. Pasdar, this year (by the Iranian calendar) they made 5.1 bn cubic meters and totally by the present time since signing the agreement 22.6 bn cubic meters were delivered. At the same time the Iranian official has noted that for the significant distance between gas fields in the south of Iran and northern provinces the Turkmen gas import allows significant reduction of expenses for gas delivery to the north of Iran.
