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ANKARA: Aliyev: Baku Will Align Policy To Region's New Realities

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  • ANKARA: Aliyev: Baku Will Align Policy To Region's New Realities

    ALIYEV: BAKU WILL ALIGN POLICY TO REGION'S NEW REALITIES

    Today's Zaman
    April 30 2009
    Turkey

    Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has said Azerbaijan will adapt its
    policy to the new realities of the region that will be established as a
    result of the ongoing normalization efforts between Turkey and Armenia.

    Aliyev met with European Commission President José Manuel
    Barroso on Tuesday in Brussels, after which the two held a joint
    press conference. Aliyev also gave a speech in a conference titled
    "Azerbaijan: An increasingly important partner for the European Union,"
    organized by the European Policy Centre (EPC), a Brussels-based
    think tank.

    Asked about his country's position regarding the Turkish-Armenian
    rapprochement, he indicated that it was up to Turkey and Armenia to
    decide on their bilateral relations but that Azerbaijan will adapt
    its policy according to the changing realities of the region, with
    particular reference to the possible border opening. "If I am to talk
    about the issue's historical roots, the Turkish border with Armenia was
    closed because of the Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territories,
    which is still continuing," he said, reiterating that Azerbaijan is
    not in a position to prevent bilateral relations between the two but
    that they do have the right to align their steps to a potential future
    situation in the region.

    Aliyev also pointed out his expectations for a clear answer if the
    settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis is linked to the agreement
    between Armenia and Turkey. "We are hearing contradictory statements
    about whether the resolution of the regional crisis is a precondition
    in the ongoing process between Armenia and Turkey. It is indeed a
    simple question and requires a simple answer," said Aliyev. Armenia
    and Turkey earlier announced that they had agreed on a road map to
    normalize their relations.

    Barroso stated that he understands how sensitive the issue is for
    Azerbaijan. "But you should also understand that the European Union
    will be happy with any reduction in tension," he noted, adding that
    this does not mean that Azerbaijan doesn't want the Nagorno-Karabakh
    crisis to be resolved. "We also urge Azerbaijan and Armenia to look
    for a solution and hope their efforts deliver one," he concluded.

    'Gas price needs to be recalculated' In his speech at the EPC,
    Aliyev said the price of natural gas from the Caspian Sea that Turkey
    buys from Azerbaijan, which is transported through the Å~^ahdeniz
    pipeline, needs to be recalculated according to the market price and
    the provisions of the agreement between the two.

    Reminded of the speculation that Azerbaijan will increase natural
    gas prices for Turkey because of the talks the country is holding
    with Armenia, Aliyev said the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan
    Republic (SOCAR) is not the only company involved in the Å~^ahdeniz
    project. "The validity of the ceiling price for 1,000 cubic meters
    of natural gas [$120] expired in April 2008, so the price needs to
    be recalculated, but it is hard to tell if it will be a higher or
    lower price. Petroleum prices are diminishing so natural gas may be
    cheaper, too, but it has to be the market price," the Azerbaijani
    president explained.

    Aliyev highlighted that Turkey was buying natural gas from
    Russia and Algeria for a much higher price than it was paying to
    Azerbaijan. "Those who follow it know very well that Turkey has bought
    natural gas from Russia for $400-500 and from Algeria for $300 and
    more. When we were selling it for $120, the market price was about
    $400-500. You can now calculate how much loss we bore last year,"
    stated Aliyev. He added that everything needs to be done in line with
    the agreements signed.
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