“The Nabucco project is very important in terms of diversification of Azerbaijani energy policies”- Azerbaijan Minister of Economic Development

“The Nabucco project is very important in terms of diversification of Azerbaijani energy policies”- Azerbaijan Minister of Economic Development

"The Nabucco project is very important in terms of diversification of Azerbaijani energy policies", said Azerbaijan Minister of Economic Development Shahin Mustafayev, speaking to Today’s Zaman in Baku last week.

He said Azerbaijan is approaching the Nabucco pipeline project "in a very positive manner." "We have to look at the supply side of gas and should enlist more suppliers for Nabucco. The rights of all producers, consumers and transit countries must be protected as well," he explained. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will be paying an official visit to Azerbaijan on Wednesday, and the issue will come up at the meetings, said the newspaper.

Mustafayev has also ruled out the free movement of goods between Azerbaijan and Turkey any time soon, saying the priority is on the development of domestic economic enterprises. He said Baku would approach a free trade agreement with Turkey very cautiously. "I think it will need some time. Our national businesses must be able to stand on their own feet first and foremost," he explained.

Shahin Mustafayev also talked about the diversification of the country’s economy and increasing the share of the non-oil industry in the overall economy. "Turkey may help us in diversifying our portfolio," he said. About 1,300 Turkish companies operate in Azerbaijan, while some 1,000 Azeri companies operate in Turkey. Today’s Zaman said major infrastructure projects are carried out in Azerbaijan and another international airport will be built in Gabala.

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