Azerbaijan, strong energy partner -- EU

BRUSSELS, June 14 (KUNA) -- European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso Saturday visited Baku to mark the energy partnership with Azerbaijan.
"Azerbaijan is today one of the EU's major and most reliable energy partners, and this contributes to our mutual economy and energy security," Barroso said in press statements after meeting Azeri President Ilham Aliyev.
They also discussed the progress on the Southern Gas Corridor, and later today they will pay a joint visit to the Sangachal terminal, from which Southern Corridor gas will begin its journey to European consumers.
This will initially bring 10 billion cubic meters of new gas to Europe by 2019, and even more after that, he noted.
"The EU will continue to do its part in ensuring the success of the Southern Gas Corridor. This is a key for our common objective of diversification of sources and clients. It is also a central part of the European Energy Security Strategy that the Commission recently presented," stated the head of the EU's executive body.
Moreover, the EU and Azerbaijan are signing today an agreement on the participation of Azerbaijan in the EU programmes.
This will allow cooperation in several sectors including science, education environment protection, consumer policies and health.
"The EU wants to broaden and deepen its relationship with Azerbaijan," added Barroso. (end) nk.hs