Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR and Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz are working on technical solutions for supplying Azerbaijani natural gas to the Ukrainian market.
This was stated by Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev in a comment to Ukrinform on the sidelines of the 4th Global Media Forum in Shusha.
“SOCAR and Naftogaz Ukraine have been instructed to work out the technical details. Last year, the parties discussed the supply of Azerbaijani gas to Ukraine, but unfortunately, due to an explosion and an accident on the transportation line, it was not possible to implement the plan,” Hajiyev said.
The Azerbaijani presidential aide emphasized that the project remains relevant.
“This issue remains on the agenda of our two countries. At the technical level, SOCAR and Naftogaz Ukraine are working on technical solutions that would make it possible to supply Azerbaijani gas to the Ukrainian market,” he said.
At the same time, according to the Azerbaijani official, it is currently impossible to specify a concrete timeline for implementing the project.
“It is very difficult to assess the timeframe, as it depends on specific technical conditions on the ground. One of the main challenges is the transportation route, as well as security issues. Both sides are currently considering various options for how Azerbaijani gas could potentially be delivered to the Ukrainian market,” Hajiyev noted.
He also emphasized the close cooperation between Ukraine and Azerbaijan in the energy sector.
“Ukraine and Azerbaijan have friendly relations, and our countries cooperate in many areas, including energy. SOCAR has a strong presence in Ukraine’s energy market, and the company’s filling stations have been actively operating for many years, contributing to Ukraine’s energy security,” Hajiyev said.
