Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras
met on Friday night with BP Group Chief Executive Robert Dudley during
his visit to Baku as one of several country leaders attending events
related to the natural gas pipeline in Azerbaijan.
Earlier, Samaras attended a dinner by Azeri President Ilham Aliyev
that was also attended by the Prime Ministers of Turkey, Bulgaria and
Montenegro. It was the first time hemet with Turkish Prime Minister
Ahmet Davutoglu after hiselection.
Samaras also met briefly with President Aliyev on Friday and
discussed the two countries’ collaborationin energy, as Greece is
Azerbaijan’s most important strategic partner in Europe.
Among others, they discussedthe possibility of increasing the supply
of Azeri natural gas to Greece in the case that supply was disrupted
due to the Ukrainian crisis. The issue was raised by Samaras and Aliyev
agreed that the technical aspects should be furtherdiscussed by the
appropriate Ministers from both countries.
In addition to their 20-minute meeting, Samaras and Aliyev had a more
extended discussion over a dinner hosted by the Azeri President. During
their talks, they agreed that Greece is emerging as an energy hub in
southeastern Europe and emphasized the important role of the
Greek-Bulgarian pipeline.
The two leaders also reviewed the bilateral agreements signed in the
energy sector and procedures for implementing the TransAdriatic Pipeline
(TAP) within the existing deadline, as well as the progress in the
privatization of Greece’s Natural Gas System Operator (DESFA) via the
transfer of a 66% share to Azerbaijan’s SOCAR.
RegardingDESFA, the European Commission is expected to give the
official green lightfor the deal and confirm that it is compatible with
European energy laws by September 29, at which time the relevant
procedures can move forward. During the meeting, Samaras and Aliyev
agreed to speed up the processand make an effort to overcome any
bureaucratic problems.
Referring to events on Saturday, Aliyev said this would be an
important anniversary and a new start of Azerbaijan. He also briefed
Samaras on the discussions regardingenergy issues held with other
foreign leaders attending the events in Baku.
The meeting between Aliyev and Samaras was followed by a meeting of
delegations from bothcountries. From the Greek side itwas attended by
Environment, Climate and Energy Minister Yiannis Maniatis, Deputy Energy
Minister Assimakis Papageorgiou and government spokeswoman Sofia
Voultepsi.
On Saturday, Samaras and the Greek delegation attended an event
celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Shah Deniz natural gas field
agreements and a special event on the Southern Corridor pipeline
network, where new drilling formally began. The events were also attended by delegations from Turkey, Italy, Albania, Bulgaria,
Montenegro, Croatia and the UK.
On the events’ sidelines, Samaras has had meetings with foreign leaders.
(
source: ana-mpa, greece.greekreporter.com)