Azerbaijan signs deal for long-term gas supplies to EU
(BAKU) - Azerbaijan and European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso on Thursday signed an agreement which commits Baku to providing "substantial" long-term gas supplies to EU countries, an EC spokeswoman said.
"This is a major breakthrough," Barroso was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the commission after the joint declaration was signed with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
Barroso said it was an important step towards creating the Southern Gas Corridor, a project that envisages the construction of several new pipelines to bring Caspian Sea and Middle Eastern gas to Europe, reducing its dependence on Russian energy.
"This new supply route will enhance the energy security of European consumers and businesses," Barroso said.