Aliyev says claims Azerbaijan re-exporting Russian gas are 'fake news'

BAKU. July 22 (Interfax) - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev denied claims that his country was re-exporting Russian gas.

"You may have heard that Azerbaijan was again accused of reselling Russian gas to Europe, which is absolutely fake news again. Just one example: yes, we did contract 1 billion cubic meters of gas from Russia when the prices on international markets were very high, and the price for Russian gas was affordable. This was purely a commercial business case, nothing more than that. As I said already, we export 25 billion cubic meters and only import - 1 billion. Being accused of being a kind of a channel for Russian gas exports is absolutely unfair. That was a great-great fake news," Aliyev said at the second Shusha Global Media Forum titled "Unmasking False Narratives: Confronting Disinformation." Aliyev's answers to questions at the forum are posted on his website.

Aliyev said Azerbaijan was not in need of anyone's gas. "You probably know, due to certain reasons, the transportation of Turkmen gas to Azerbaijan through Iran has also stopped. So, we don't need it. But we've been approached by Ukraine and the European Commission. We are also in the process of negotiations with Russia on this matter. If we can help, we will. [But we want] to avoid all kinds of accusations that we are doing something on speculative basis," he said.

Aliyev said it would be good for Russia to have 50 billion cubic meters or more to sell on the premium European market. "We know that Russia is now looking for other markets, which is understandable. They have started supplying gas to Kazakhstan. They have started supplying gas to Uzbekistan, because these two countries had problems with their traditional supplier. I know about some other ideas. Every country needs diversified supply routes. We have gas pipeline to Russia, Iran, Georgia, Turkey, to Italy, everywhere. We are on the safe side. Maybe I'm answering too long to your question, but it's important because it has different layers. Once again, we are ready to help. But understand that we are facilitators, nothing more," he said.

Aliyev said that with respect to the termination of duration of the contract between Ukraine and Russia, Azerbaijan had been approached by Ukrainian authorities and the European Union to facilitate the prolongation of this contract. "It seems that both sides are interested in that, because Ukraine itself needs this gas. Countries like Austria and Slovakia will be in serious trouble. Either they will have to pay hundreds of millions-I don't want to name the precise figure because it's none of my business, that's why I'm talking approximately- to get gas from other sources. Or physically, they will have no access to additional gas, because unlike other European countries, these two are in the most difficult situation," he said.