A CREDIT BY 270 MM EVRO WILL BE ALLOCATED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE STEAMING GAS INSTALLATION IN SUMGAYIT
BAKU.31.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: For the construction of the steaming gas installation by a capacity of 500 MWt in the town Sumgayit a credit by 270 MM evro will be allocated. The Ambassador of Germany in Azerbaijan Mr. Claus Grevlikh has informed journalists about this.
BAKU.31.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: For the past year natural gas and gas condensate by $1bn were exported from the fields of the South Pars (2nd and 3rd stages), Iran.Ru informs with a reference to the agency World-news.
BAKU.31.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: In Azerbaijan the project of restoration of resources of drinking water for towns of Gyanja and Sheki.
BAKU.31.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The opposition in Armenia refuses of political dialogue with parties cooperating with authorities up to retirement of the present President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan.
BAKU.31.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: In the interview to some mass media the Minister of Energy of Armenia Mr. Armen Movsesyan has rejected affirmations about that Yerevan conducts negotiations about continuation of the gas pipeline Iran - Armenia, the construction of which is constructed already for almost 10 years.
BAKU.31.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The visit of the President of Azerbaijan Mr Ilham Aliyev to Brussels, which is to take place in the mid of May and his meetings with the Supreme official of the EU on Defense and Foreign Policy Mr. Caviar Solana, the Chief of the European Commission Mr. Romano Prodi and Commissar on Energy and Transport will have a great political and economic importance. The Ambassador of Germany in Azerbaijan Mr. Claus Grevlich has expressed such opinion.
BAKU.31.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: On April 20 - 21 the Foreign Minister of Germany Mr.Yoshka Fisher will visit Azerbaijan officially, the Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Germany in Baku Mr. Claus Grevlich has informed the journalists.
BAKU.31.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: Azerbaijan and Germany plan to conclude the agreement on military cooperation. The Ambassador of Germany in Azerbaijan Mr. C. Grevlich has informed journalists about this.
BAKU.31.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The German Governmental delegation will discuss the issues of bilateral economic cooperation on April 24 - 27 in Baku.
BAKU.31.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: Today in Minsk within frameworks of the official visit to Belarus of the Premier of Azerbaijan Mr. Artur Rasizade the first sitting of the intergovernmental Belarus-Azerbaijan Commission on trade-economic cooperation is held.
BAKU.31.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The Construction of the TransAsian-European Railway Line (TRASECA) and laying of the oil pipeline Baku - Ceyhan will pull up the Azerbaijan-Chinese cooperation to qualified new level. The Ambassador of Azerbaijan in the CPR Mr. Yashar Aliyev has said in connection with the 12th Anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between two countries.
BAKU.31.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: In the American Congress the working group on Azerbaijan has been founded in Azerbaijan and it will promote to strengthening of the intergovernmental cooperation.
BAKU.31.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: In London the three days "Summit of the CIS On Oil and Gas - 2004: Russia, Caspian Sea, Caucasus and Central Asia".
The German Bank Baerishce Landeshbank Girosentral is the finance consultant of the project. By the words of Mr. K. Grevlich the consortium of banks, which will be engaged in financing of given the project are to be founded. The allocation of means is expected on September - October of this year.
We shall remind that still in 2002 two HES recognized unprofitable were shut down. Just then the decision on construction of steaming gas energy installation by a capacity of 400 - 450 MWt was accepted.
Mr. Grevlich has emphasized the importance of the project for Azerbaijan. "For realization of the stte program of the economic development the country should not depend on import of electric energy", - he has said.
DURING A YEAR NATURAL GAS AND GAS CONDENSATE BY A $1 BN WERE DELIVERED FROM THE FIELDS OF SOUTH PARS
Supposedly, daily on the fields of the South Pars 25 MM cubic meters of cleaned natural gas, 40 thou bbls of gas condensate and 200 t of sulfide will be produced.
Gas fields of the South Pars are in joint ownership of Iran and Qatar and occupy the total area above 9 thou sq. km in waters of the Persian Gulf. The supplies of gas in the Iranian sector occupying more 3700 sq.km, make approximately 500 trln. cubic feet or 14 trln cubic meters of gas.
THE GERMAN BANK AND GOVERNMENT OF SWITZERLAND FINANCES THE PROJECT IN RESTORATION OF RESOURCES OF DRINKING WATER FOR THE AZERBAIJAN TOWNS
As the Ambassador of Germany Mr. Claus Grevlich has informed the journalists, the German bank KWF, Swiss and Azerbaijan governments will allocate means for realization of this project. For the realization of the first phase of the project 54 MM evro would be required and KWF will allocate 37 MM, the Government of Switzerland will allocate 10 MM and Azerbaijan will allocated 7 MM evro. The credit will be allocated on long-term base and favorable conditions.
The Ambassador has noted that for the realization of the project the JC will be founded. It will be carried out jointly with the communal and municipal services. "At the present time all relevant documentation is ready and although today it is possible to start to realize the project. Issue on sharing in the future JC is a single problem", - Mr. C. Grevlich has informed.
IN ARMENIA THE OPPOSITION REFUSES OF THE POLITICAL DIALOGUE UP TO RETIREMENT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNTRY
The declaration published on Tuesday in the Parliament by the Secretary of the opposition fraction "A Justice" Victor Dallakyan tells about this.
"Armenia is in a deep crisis and a single way of leaving from it is retirement of Robert Kocharyan", - V. Dallakyan has said. By the opinion of the opposition, authorities of Armenia try to apply anticonstition methods - using the army against to public protests meanwhile in accordance with the Constitution; the army may be used only against external threats. "This is an evidence that Armenia is within junta power", - this is said in the declaration of the opposition.
V. Dallakynan as well has said that two oppositionist parties - block "A Justice" and the party "National Uniting" were united in struggle for authorities changing and intend to begin serious actions up to April 13.
YEREVAN DOES NOT CONDUCT NEGOTIATIONS ON CONTINUATION OF THE GAS PIPELINE IRAN - ARMENIA TOWARDS EUROPE, HOWEVER THE FEASIBILITY REPORT OF THIS PROJECT WAS EXECUTED ELSE IN 2000
We shall remind that on the days the Russian "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" has informed with a reference to the same Armen Morvsesyan that at a sitting of the government of Armenia he said that that the gas pipeline Iran - Armenia, the construction of which is planned to be completed in the beginning of 2005, will be further continued to the territory of Georgia and then by the bottom of the Black Sea to Ukraine and to the West Europe. Thus, the Iranian and Turkmen gas will be delivered to the countries of the EU roundabout of Russia.
As "Nezavisimay Gazeta" wries on this theme, in result of this project the Russian budget will loose several milliards dollars annually
Thus, Armenia, which is considered the most reliable satellite of Russia in Transcaucasus realizes the thing that up to date USA has not been get from it - creates the gas exportation route from the Central Asia to the West alternative to the Russian one, the newspaper resumes.
For most reliability "Nezavisimay Gazeta" has brought the history of the issue. When it became clear in Moscow that the diameter of the pipe of the future gas pipeline exceeds obviously rates necessary for gas supplying of Armenia, the former Russian Premier Mr. Kasyanov has put the issue of real fraud and leaving from the initial ideas to Robert Kocharyan. But during the first official visit of Mr. Vladimir Putin to Yerevan on September 2001 the Armenian President assured that there should not be any question about the transit character of Iran - Armenia.
Armenia has thrown it mask only since Russia fully removed the state debt of Armenia and loaded the budget by unprofitable Armenian enterprises, "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" emphasizes. Now Erevan does want to be a friend of Moscow. At the same time the EU (which up to 2000 actively opposed to trilateral Armenian-Iran-Russian gas consortium) allocated means for the construction of the gas pipeline. This promises total energetic independence from Russia not only to Europe, but also Turkmenistan and Ukraine. Moreover Erevan has promised that after the putting into operation of the gas pipeline to close the Armenian Atomic Station, which is managed now by the RAO "EES". The EU for a long time demands the closing of the AES, which produces up to 40% of electric energy for Armenia and works on the Russian nuclear fuel.
However the Armenian Minister has rejected these confirmations. By his words, "the gas pipeline is provided for transportation of such volume of gas, which would be necessary for satisfaction of inner demand of Armenia. Nobody conducted any negotiations with our ministry on continuation of the gas pipeline Iran - Armenia to the territory of Georgia and then to Ukraine, Europe and Armenia. There is not similar objective standing for us. However, naturally intensions of great orbs on having the second gas pipeline may appear. Europe or some other countries may think of this. In any case, I repeat, for the present such negotiations are not conducted", - the Minister of Energy of Armenia has said.
As to mentioned publications, A. Movsisyan has said, he could not make such irresponsible declarations as he was in business trip and just returned to Armenia. And date mentioned in materials of the sitting does not correspond to reality.
Further the Minister has signed, "Armenia is honorable partner and tries to maintain mutually profitable relations with all the countries and at the same time he added that the EU has not allocated any coin for the construction of the gas pipeline Iran - Armenia. The government of Armenia will search for these means.
Answering to the question, whether the issue of the construction of the gas pipeline "Iran - Armenia" may be associated with one of shutting down of the Metsamor (Armenian) Atomic Electric Power Station, Mr. A. Movsisyan has said that this gas pipeline is not the alternative source of energy for consideration within frameworks of shutting of this station. For having an alternative source, $1 bn would be required for Armenia. "The EU has suggested only 100 MM evro to our government. Naturally, we have not received the conditions, however the negotiations are in progress. We tell them to show us finance sources, by help of which we would be able to construct new capacities. In this case we would announce a date of shutting down of the AEPS. Not having information on sources of financing it would be absurd about the shutting down of the AEPS, - the Armenian Minister has said.
Thus, "however, all the same the EU has suggested "only 100 MM evro" to Yerevan. And this took place probably not only for shutting down the AEPS and construction of stations, which would replace it. Then why?
And the freshest information makes to doubt in sincerity of the Armenian Minister, which was placed on the news strip of internet-site "Neftegaz vertical" dated from March 29. And following is said in it: "The Minster of Energy of Armenia Mr. Armen Movsisyan has informed in the interview to the agency "Interfax" that the gas pipeline Iran - Armenia, the agreement on the construction of which is planned in the next time may be constructed through Georgia up to Ukraine and further the countries of the EU. By his words, the version of construction of laying the route of the pipeline from Iran through Armenia and Georgian and further by the Black Sea bottom up to Ukraine" is not excluded. "After the realization of the project "The Blue Stream" the construction of long sea gas pipelines is not fantastic already", - the Minister has said.
And the Kiev periodical "Zerkalo Nedeli" puts the words of Mr. A. Movsisyan that "gas deliveries from Iran to the Ukraine and European markets corresponds to the course of these countries for access to alternative sources of the natural gas deliveries. And Iran, and Turkmenistan want his and a chief thing that the EU does too. Europe accounts to prolong the gas pipeline with the Iranian and Turkmen gas crossing Armenia to its own territory. However this is a matter of serious and long negotiations touching as well as other countries receiving the Russian gas up to date", - Mr. A. Movsisyan has said in conlusion.
And information of "Zerkalo Nedeli" rejects entirely so called rejection of the Armenian Minister. It tells that the still in 2000 the project institues VNIPITTransgaz of Kiev worked out the FR of the project of the gas pipeline Iran - Armenia - Georgia - Ukraine - Europe with laying 550 km of pipes by the bottom of the Black Sea from the Georgian port Supsa up to the Krim town Feodosiya. A cost of the project would make 5 bn dollars, a volume of deliveries would make to 60 bn cubic meters annually including 10 bn cubic meters for Ukraine, by estimations of the Ministry of Fuel and Energy of Ukraine.
The Kiev project employees scarcely executed such large work as making the FR of the great gas pipeline on a base of pure enthusiasm without available relevant agreement of sides, which will be involved into this project.
THE AMBASSADOR OF GERMANY IN BAKU: THE VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN MR. I. ALIYEV TO BRUSSELS WILL HAVE A GREAT IMPORTANCE
By the words of the diplomat in the next future the joining of Azerbaijan to the program of the EU "The New Neighbors" is mentioned. Besides, the EU and Azerbaijan have common interests - by the production and transportation energetic resources. In the next 30 years requirements of Europe in the natural gas will increase in some times. Russia and Algeria will be not able to provide Europe for gas in full scale and will need in "the blue fuel" from Azerbaijan. And Baku in its turn is interested in its deliveries to the "blue fuel" from Azerbaijan. And Baku in its turn is interested in its deliveries to the countries.
ON 20 - 21 APRIL THE MINISTER OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF GERMANY MR. YOSHKA FISHER VISITS TO AZERBAIJAN
By his words, the sides determine a date of visit, however it is known that Y. Fisher will meet with the President of Azerbaijan Mr Ilham Aliyev and the Foreign Ministry of the country Mr. Vilayat Guliyev.
Issues of fight against terrorism, security field, problems of regional policy as well as preparations for the summit of the NATO in Istanbul are probable matter of negotiations.
Mr. C. Grevlich has noted also that the meeting of the Foreign Minister of Germany and chiefs of religious confessions of Azerbaijan is to be held.
AZERBAIJAN AND GERMANY WILL SIGN AGREEMENTS ON MILITARY COOPERATION AND SECURITY
By the words of the diplomat, the agreement provides for consultations in field of security and as well as cooperation in the frontier sphere. For rendering consultative services to Azerbaijan Germany has allocated two specialists. The improvement of military doctrine of Azerbaijan is one of consultation forms.
THE GOVERNMENTAL DELEGATION OF THE FRG WILL DISCUSS ISSUES OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ON APRIL IN BAKU
And slightly later, in the mid of May, the Ambassador of Germany in Baku Mr. Claus Grevlich has informed, the delegation of the industrial circles of Germany will come to Azerbaijan and will discuss issues of investing to the Azerbaijan economy. Up to date Germany invested 270 MM evro to Azerbaijan. The EU has allocated a part of these means.
Mr. K. Grevlich has noted that the increased interest to Azerbaijan is caused by realization of projects owing to which Azerbaijan will receive annual profit by up to $1bn. The German businessmen are to work in Azerbaijan in non-oil sphere. Already negotiations on realization of a number of large projects are conducted, however they have not been completed. The Ambassador has refused to call them.
THE PREMIER OF AZERBAIJAN AND BELARUS WILL SIGN THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT ON FREE TRADE IN MINSK
The program of the visit of Mr. A. Rasi-zade includes meeting with the authorities of the state. It is planned that the Chiefs of the Governments of Belarus and Azerbaijan will sign the intergovernmental agreement on free trade. As well visiting the plant of freezers "Atlant", the Minsk Tractor Plant, the Minsk Car Plant is within frameworks of the visit.
Within frameworks of the external trade of Belarus with the countries of the CIS on results of the past year Azerbaijan has occupied the seventh place. The goods turnover in 2003 has increased by 56.1% in comparison with 2002 and made 10.5 MM dollars. The Belarus export in Azerbaijan has increased almost in two times and the import has reduced by 22.6%.
The tendency of growth of mutual goods turnover was kept and in the beginning of 2004. On January it has made 957 thou dollars and increased more than in 3 times in comparison with January of the past year. The Belarus export to Azerbaijan has increased in 2.8 times.
THE AMBASSADOR OF AZERBAIJAN IN PEKIN HOPES ON QUALIFIED PROGRESS IN THE AZERBAIJAN-CHINESE RELATIONS
The diplomatic relations between China and Azerbaijan were established on April 2, 1992. By the words of Mr. Y. Aliyev, very creditable and true relations have been established between both the countries. He has confirmed that Azerbaijan recognize united China having the continental part of Taiwan is under is under its authority.
China and Azerbaijan are connected by centuries-old friendship. Azerbaijan was a partner of China on a Great Silk Way 2 thou years ago already. Since 1998 the growth of goods turnover is kept in bilateral trade. By information of the Ministry of Trade of the CPR, in 2003 the goods turnover volume between both the countries made above 238 MM dollars and increased by 149.7% in comparison with 2002. Particularly, the export from China to Azerbaijan make 204 MM dollars (a growth by 116.7%), the import from Azerbaijan - 34.67 MM dollars/ a growth by 2282.8%/.
"However, a level of trade-economic communications between two countries does not far correspond to opportunities. Azerbaijan and China would be able to successfully cooperate in the sphere of the agricultural economy, field of the tourism, light and textile industries, etc.", - the Ambassador has said.
By the words of Mr. Y. Aliyev, efforts of the further development of trade-economic relations, in the first turn concentrated on the prior spheres, and energy is the main one.
At the present time negotiations on providing the Chinese companies for a right on exploration of oil fields of Azerbaijan. Before this China has already received the similar rights on 3 oil fields in Azerbaijan. Both the sides as well discuss issues of participation of the Chinese specialists in the construction and modernization of energy blocks of a number of hydroelectric power stations of Azerbaijan.
Diplomat as well has noted that the construction of the oil pipeline "Baku - Ceyhan", which is the most great projects of Azerbaijan will serve to safety of energy resources deliveries to both the Asian region and the world market. The Ambassador has called the Chinese enterprises to take part actively in realization of given project.
THE WORKING GROUP ON AZERBAIJAN HAS BEEN FOUNDED IN THE US CONGRESS
As the Advisor of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in the USA Mr. Tair Tagizade has declared in interview to the agency "Interfax-Azerbaijan", "continuation of course on rapprochement of both the countries, coordination of policy on a number of issues, maintaining regular contacts on the parliamentary level rendering assistance to Azerbaijan in conduction of democratic reforms" are the main objectives of the group.
Congressmen and senators, presenting both the Republican and Democratic Parties are to be joined to this group.
"THE SUMMIT OF THE CIS ON OIL AND GAS - 2004: RUSSIA, CASPIAN SEA, CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA" IS HOLDING IN LONDON
As the organizers of the summit have told to the RIA "Novosti", the summit is conducted in the second time with participation of chiefs of the Minstries and companies engaged in oil and gas industry. The London Company "Energy Exchange Ltd." is the main organizer of this event.
By the words of organizers, the summit "will allow to them who is working already or only intends to come to rapidly developing markets of oil and gas in Russia, the Caspian region, Caucasus and Central Asia, receive clear picture of opportunities, which are contained in each region".
The first day of the works of the summit was devoted to the Russian oil and gas sector. Expectedly, within frameworks of the plenary sittings the Director on Russia and Eurasia of the Ministry of Energy of the USA Mr. Leonard Koburn, the President of the Union of Independent Gas Producers of Russia Mr. Victor Baranov, officials of companies "LUKoil" and Total, analysts on problems of the oil and gas industry will speak out.
The Minister of Fuel and Energy of Azerbaijan Mr. Mejid Kerimov was a special guest of the first day.
Organization of discussion of "round table" on all problems of forum, which would provide delegates and speakers for opportunity opinion exchanges and work experience in oil and gas of the CIS", - the organizers have noted.
Plenary sittings of the summit of March 31 and April 1 will be devoted to following themes: financing the oil and gas field in the countries of the CIS; innovation technologies, automating and informing of the operation and management of oil and gas industry, opportunities and perspectives of oil and gas export from Russia and other countries of the CIS, the state policy in the field of oil and gas business.
The Director of the Natural Resources of the European Reconstruction and Development Bank Mr. Kevin Bortz, the Deputy General Director of the Company "Gazexport" Mr. Sergey Yemelyanov, the President of the Litov Gas Association Mr. Raymundas Palyukas, officials of companies "TNK-BP", "Kaztransoil", "Statoil-Azerbaijan" are amongst the applied orators.
