Romanian delegation headed by Mr.Tudor Sherban Deputy-Minister of Economy, Commerce and Business Environment, State Secretary, chairman of Romania-Azerbaijan working group on energy paid a visit to Baku in February 1-3, 2010.

        On the first day of visit Romanian delegation met with Mr.Rovnag Abdullayev, president of State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR).During the meeting Mr.Rovnag Abdullayev stated that bilateral relations between two countries experience rapid growth and energy cooperation stands in the core of these relations.

        Mr.Sherban spoke about the growing interest of energy cooperation with Azerbaijan mentioning that Romanian companies are willing to deepen cooperation with SOCAR in oil and natural gas transportation. He also stated that Romania has made crucial steps to import and process Azerbaijani oil. Romania is very interested in an uninterrupted oil and gas provision by Azerbaijan. Studying diversification options which can serve as a long-term gas provision is necessary.

        Commenting on the recent progress in the development of gas sector Mr.Abdullayev explained how the country switched form importing country to exporting country. He proudly stated that currently Azerbaijan is exporting gas to 4 neighboring countries. Azerbaijan is paying particular attention on diversification of oil and gas pipelines, thus it carefully examines all proposals regarding the transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe. Mr.Abdullayev expressed his assurance that cooperation in the energy field established between two countries will augment in the near future.

        On the next day of the visit Romanian delegation met with H.E. Mr.Natig Aliyev, Minister of Energy and Industry of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Parties expressed their content on existing energy cooperation and emphasized the necessity of enhancing it.

        Despite world economic crisis, Azerbaijan economy has kept on growing and has significantly contributed to European energy security. The parties also agreed that visits of Heads of the countries have played an important role in the growing mutual relations.

        Mr.Sherban stated that Azerbaijan as a gas exporting country has attracted the interest of Romania. Romania has officially announced to join the list of customers which purchase Azerbaijani gas. It is proposed that Romania would import liquefied natural gas for Azerbaijan through Georgia. To that effect LNG Plant should be constructed in Georgia and liquefied gas would be transported from Batumi to Constanta by tankers.