Baku, Astana explore boosting Kazakh oil transit via AzerbaijanAzerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov and Kazakh Transport Minister Marat Karabayev met in Astana to discuss boosting the transit of Kazakh oil through Azerbaijan and establishing a corridor for exporting "green energy" from Central Asia to Europe.The ministers held talks and attended a joint commission meeting. "During the bilateral meeting, they discussed broadening the range of export-import goods and prioritizing projects in energy, investment, transport, and logistics,” the Azerbaijani Ministry of Energy said.The commission meeting covered goals, accomplishments, and future prospects across various areas such as trade, energy, transport, industry, construction, and agriculture.Shahbazov highlighted the commitment to deeper ties, citing initiatives like transporting Kazakh oil through Azerbaijan, effective use of the "Middle Corridor, laying a fiber-optic line under the Caspian Sea, and collaborating on exporting green energy from Central Asia to Europe via Azerbaijan.Karabayev mentioned that in 2023, cargo transportation between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan surged by 50% to 4.3 million tonnes, with Middle Corridor traffic rising by 65% to 2.8 million tonnes. Trade turnover hit $314 million in 2023. Current investments stand at $211.4 million from Azerbaijan into Kazakhstan and $114 million from Kazakhstan into the Azerbaijani economy.“The upcoming regular meeting of the Azerbaijani-Kazakh Business Council and efforts to boost trade and economic collaboration, including attracting Kazakh firms to the Alyat Free Economic Zone (FEZ) in Azerbaijan and fostering cooperation with Kazakhstan's free economic zones, will enhance these results,” according to the statement.During the meeting, the commission discussed setting up an investment fund, joint production, a grain terminal, and shipbuilding collaboration. The participants also talked about expanding cooperation in the oil and gas sector, increasing oil transit, and boosting cargo transportation. The parties agreed to finish the Caspian seabed fiber-optic line between the countries and study transmitting electricity along the Central Asia-Europe route. Cooperation in renewable energy was also on the agenda.A protocol was signed at the intergovernmental commission meeting, and it was agreed to hold the 21st meeting in Baku in 2025. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX