OREANDA-NEWS. SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev received the US delegation comprised of federal, state senators and congressmen, as well as political and public figures, scientists, being on a visit to Azerbaijan to attend the “Azerbaijan-US: Vision for the future” forum.
 Welcoming the guests, Mr. Abdullayev spoke about developing bilateral and inter-parliamentary ties between Azerbaijan and the United States, and emphasized the important role of mutual visits, meetings and exchange of views in further expansion and deepening of these relationships. Mentioning the Forum held in Washington on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Azerbaijan, SOCAR President expressed confidence that Baku Forum would contribute to the strengthening the dialogue between the two countries. Expressing gratitude for the warm reception on behalf of the guests, the US congressmen Gregory W. Meeks, Leonard Lance, and James Bridenstine congratulated SOCAR President and Azerbaijani people on the occasion of May 28 - the Republic Day. The guests mentioned Azerbaijan as a strategic ally of the U.S. in the region. Noting the gradual strengthening of relations between the U.S. and Azerbaijan, the U.S. officials highly appreciated the country as a civilized and democratic country comprising European values, as well as its role in the energy security of Europe.

In turn, Mr. Abdullayev pointed out that Azerbaijan was an old land of oil and it made great contributions to the world oil industry. Speaking about the recent global and regional oil and gas projects, he said Azerbaijan had opened an energy corridor to Europe in a short-term. He emphasized the importance of the Southern Gas Corridor project in provision of the European energy security and briefed on the works conducted in this connection. As to him, selection of a route for transportation of Azeri natural gas to European countries had stepped to the final stage. SOCAR President stated that in this regard, the Trans-Anatolian Gas Pipeline (TANAP) project proposed by Azerbaijan and Turkey has got international disposition. “At the same time, the expansion of the South Caucasus gas pipeline and Shah Deniz-2 project is to be completed soon”, said Mr. Abdullayev. Stating the successful operation of American companies in the oil and gas industry of Azerbaijan, SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev said Azerbaijan is open to foreign companies in economic terms as there are favorable investment opportunities.

Thereupon, SOCAR President responded questions of the guests.