Baku: Energy-rich Azerbaijan on Monday said gas exports to Europe will increase 30 percent this year as the EU seeks to reduce its dependence on Russian gas amid Moscow’s aggression. in Ukraine
Europe, which relies heavily on Russian supplies accuses Moscow of using energy as a geopolitical weapon
On Monday, Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said that during the eight months of this year, Baku “Sending 7.3 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Europe”
“The total volume of (gas) delivered to Europe in 2022 will be 12 billion cubic meters,” an increase of 31 percent compared to 2021, he said on Twitter.
He also reported a nearly 10% increase in natural gas production, reaching 30.6 billion cubic meters in January-August 2022.
On Wednesday, European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen offered Member States a maximum price deal for gas imported from Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged to end any country. that limit oil prices and oil and gas exports
In July, the EU and Baku agreed to double gas imports from Azerbaijan over the next few years.
The deal also provides for the expansion of the southern gas corridor that runs through Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Greece “to 20 billion cubic meters per year in a few years”.
in May EU leaders agree to halt most Russian oil imports by the end of the year. As part of an unprecedented sanction they slapped Moscow on invading Ukraine.
But the group completely lifted the ban on Russian gas, which by 2021 amounted to 155 billion cubic meters, or nearly 40 percent of the EU’s demand.
Russia has already begun cutting gas deliveries to prevent EU countries from filling reserves. urged the European Commission to prepare “Gas demand reduction plan” to pass next winter
