Azernews.Az

By Jamila Babayeva

Georgia can make a significant contribution to Europe's energy security in partnership with Azerbaijan and Turkey.

The remarks were made by Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania during a speech at the Energy Security Conference in Germany.

"Georgia holds a geopolitical position that contributes to its joint contribution, together with Azerbaijan and Turkey, to Europe's energy security," he said.

Reviewing the current security situation in the region, Alasania focused on Georgia's significant role in Euro-Atlantic stability and security, and talked about Georgia' transit potential.

"At the summit, we pointed to Georgia's achievements in recent years, the high speed of the ongoing reformation process, and how the EU-Georgia Association Agreement will promote Georgia's closer relations with Europe," he said.

The Southern Gas Corridor project will allow Europe to diversify its hydrocarbon source supply and increase its energy security, while Azerbaijan continues to buy a new market - Europe.

The final investment decision was made on the second phase of the Azerbaijani Shah Deniz offshore gas and condensate field's development on December 17, 2013.

Some 10 billion cubic meters of gas from the field will be supplied to the European market. The contract for developing the Shah Deniz offshore field, which has proven reserves of 1.2 trillion cubic meters of gas, was signed on June 4, 1996.

The project is planned to pass through Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey in 2019, and be extended to Greece, Albania, and Italy later on.