A U.S. special energy envoy arrived in Azerbaijan to discuss energy cooperation on Friday, the U.S. embassy announced.
Special Envoy of the U.S. Secretary of State for Eurasian Energy Richard Morningstar will meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and other state and government officials to discuss cooperation and the diversification of oil and gas transportation routes from the region to European and global markets.
During his previous visits to Azerbaijan, Morningstar said the United States backed the Nabucco gas pipeline project and other initiatives guaranteeing energy security in Europe and the long-term development, independence and sovereignty of Azerbaijan.
Nabucco aims to pipe gas from Turkey to Austria, diversifying current natural gas suppliers and delivery routes for Europe and lessening European dependence on Russian energy. The project is backed by several EU states and the U.S. and is seen as rival to the planned Russian South Stream pipeline.
Nevertheless, Azerbaijan maintains close links with Russia and has doubled natural gas supplies to Russia to 1 billion cubic meters a year from 2010.
The contract raised concerns in Europe, which looks to Azerbaijan as a potential contributor to Nabucco.
BAKU, January 15 (RIA Novosti)
