Azeri MP: TANAP Signing Cements European Energy Security

Azeri MP Aydin Mirzazade has said today that the signing of an intergovernmental agreement on the Trans Anatolian pipeline (TANAP) between Turkey and Azerbaijan will help to ensure Europe's energy security.

In a statement today on ruling party the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP)'s website, Minister Mirzazade also said that Turkey had always sought to protect Azerbaijan's interests in energy matters.

"Turkey always seeks to protect the interests of Azerbaijan in the international arena," he said. "Recent events shows that the relations between our two countries continue to develop... Undoubtedly, the statement made by Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Turkish Prime Minister) during the signing of the agreement once again confirms this fact.

Turkey and Azerbaijan last week signed an intergovernmental agreement which ensures cooperation between the two on the Trans Anatolian pipeline. The pipeline, which is estimated to cost $7 billion, will transport gas from the second phase of the Azeri Shah Deniz field to Europe through Turkey.

The pipeline will transport 16 billion cubic metres of gas a year to Europe. 10 billion cubic metres of that will be brought to the European market with the remaining 6 billion cubic metres destined for Turkish use.