Aliyev: Azerbaijan is ready to help the development of gas infrastructure in Albania

12:03 15/11/2022

The President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, paid an official visit to Albania this Tuesday. This was actually his first visit to Tirana. He was received by the head of the Albanian state, Bajram Begaj. Both had a press conference where they expressed their appreciation for the cooperation between the two countries.

“This is a historic visit for our friendship, being the first time that a President from Azerbaijan visits Tirana. The high-level visits are a clear expression of the bilateral will to further develop the relations of cooperation and friendship between our two countries and peoples. I expressed the best evaluations for the excellent political dialogue and cooperation so far and I am convinced that this visit of yours – Mr. President – will give a strong impetus to cooperation in the future, in areas of common interest. Next year also marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Albania and Azerbaijan, and this gives us the opportunity to see 2023 as the year when our cooperation should intensify and mark new developments. In the spring of next year, we expect Azerbaijan Week to take place in our country, as a good opportunity to get to know each other’s cultures better and more closely. We also discussed the proposal of the Azerbaijani side for the opening of the Embassy in our country. This is a proposal that we welcome and appreciate as a sign of the consolidation of relations and the need to accelerate the pace of cooperation as two friendly countries. Our discussions today were particularly focused on the need to identify areas of common interest and concrete ways to deepen cooperation.” said Begaj.

“For the first time in your beautiful country, I feel very happy to be here. I am confident that this visit will give a strong boost to the relationship between Azerbaijan and Albania. Today we have discussed many issues together and we have expressed our belief that this opens up very good opportunities for future developments. As for our political relations, Albanian presidents have often visited Azerbaijan in previous years. This year we had your former President visit Azerbaijan and in April, Rama was our friend. My visit proves that the political dialogue has very good horizons and a very good dynamic. In these close contexts we show our desires, common interests and at the same time I hope we will also discuss many issues. Our successful cooperation in international organizations is strengthening our ties, our relations, and as you said, Albania is a supporter of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. We greatly appreciate this support.” said Aliyev.

One of the issues discussed between the presidents was that of energy and gas. Aliyev said that Azerbaijan is ready to help in the development of gas infrastructure in Albania.

“At the same time, regarding the gas infrastructure, our country wants to help for its development in Albania. We talked about these alternatives. There are many ideas. Until now, there has not been a well-developed infrastructure in Albania. Azerbaijan can participate as an investor in this field. We are ready to do this.” said the President of Azerbaijan.

The two heads of state mentioned the TAP gas pipeline, while emphasizing that there can be cooperation between the companies of Azerbaijan and Albania in various fields of the economy.

“The cooperation between our two countries, through the TAP major project, has been successful. We have a lot to learn and benefit from Azerbaijani experience and investments in this field. Albania, as a transit country within the TAP, aims to return to a beneficiary country of gas transmission. In the framework of the cooperation with the EU, Albania and all the Balkan countries must create the gasification infrastructure and the necessary capacities by 2030. Thus, the gasification process of Albania opens up new opportunities for cooperation. We welcome the assistance from the Azerbaijani side for raising the necessary human capacities and we believe that the companies from Azerbaijan will use the spaces for cooperation in this sector, – in Albania, Kosovo and the region. Tourism constitutes an important sector of the economies of our two countries and an area of ​​common interest. Azerbaijan has considerable experience, from which we can benefit. I confirmed to the President that we welcome investments and companies from Azerbaijan for the development of the tourism sector in our country”. said Begaj.

“Of course I share your point of view regarding the economic and industrial fields to have the first meeting of the joint group because there are many issues to discuss. We talked about our cooperation in the field of gas, as well as the achievements we have achieved, as well as the work that lies ahead of us. However, I think that there are very good opportunities in other areas and the interaction between Albanian and Azerbaijani companies, in tourism, agriculture and modern technologies, I know that all these areas are advantages for both of us, so in these areas I am confident that to take decisive steps forward. As far as gas supply is concerned, Azerbaijan and Albania are members of the TAP project and also in the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor, our countries have cooperated very successfully. Under our direction, there was a meeting of the council of 1 thousand gas representatives, while Albania participated in all the meetings of this council. Currently, Azerbaijan’s natural gas is contributing to Europe’s energy security. This July we had the Commission between the EU and Azerbaijan. We signed the memorandum of understanding for strategic cooperation and by 2027, based on this memorandum, we plan to double the volume of gas supplies to Europe. This gas will pass through Albania. Our gas energy deposits are very rich“, said Aliyev./broread