The visit of the President of the French Republic, François Hollande to Azerbaijan on the threshold of the historical elections in the European Parliament against the background of the ongoing geopolitical processes within the European Union and beyond it, economic challenges of France, testify not only energy but also comprehensive high importance of Azerbaijan and the entire Caspian-Black Sea region for stability on the European continent. 

Tired of the wars of the last century Europe does not want new conflicts. 

The policies of the EU’s two leading economies Germany and France prove it. Also colourful is the phrase from the speech of one of the candidates for presidency in the European Commission, the aksakal, wise man of the European policy and the founder of the all-European currency Euro Jean-Claude Juncker “but those who are criticizing EU for softness (towards the Ukraine crisis) want the war to start”.

That is why the EU is starting a new stage of the historical development. The economic crisis, high energy costs that reduce competitiveness of economies have become a real threat to the unity of the EU. Radical national movements and far left-wing parties are becoming more frequent in France, Greece, Spain and Italy, and the voices of eurosceptics are heard louder and louder.  Eurocentrists should overcome not only contradiction and dissonance among the EU 28 member countries, but also carry out reappraisal of values in the relations with the major partners - Russia (in connection with the Ukrainian crisis and the deepening relations with China) and the reinforcing economic power of the USA in the negotiations on a comprehensive trade and investment agreement. 

The competitiveness of the growing European economy depends on the unity and the active international economic and investment policy aimed at maximum rapprochement with economically self-sufficient energy centers such as Azerbaijan. France understands it perfectly. 

“Azerbaijan is the important partner for France, especially in the energy sector”, President of France François Hollande said at the joint press conference with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on May 12. 

“From this point of view I do realize the work to be done to ensure energy security of Europe. I have expressed my will on this issue and held a fair discussion with our major partners in Europe, saying that in the forthcoming years we have to diversify our energy sources.  This is the way to ensure energy security of Europe”, President of France François Hollande emphasized.

According to him, in Baku the counterparts discussed many projects, which France is implementing together with Azerbaijan since Azerbaijan is the large natural gas producer and in the future Azerbaijan can become even larger oil and gas producer. “French companies are actively involved in your big projects, they also participated in the discovery of fields to be developed in the forthcoming years”, he continued.

He said Azerbaijan plays a strategic role from both economic and political points of view. It concerns the issue of energy supply of Europe, its energy security. “That is why I invited here French companies that have been involved in this sector for years for a closer cooperation with you. In particular I mean the new Absheron field, in which Total and GDF-Suez participate. I know these two large French companies intend to make more from the point of view of investments to achieve a larger profitability of projects”, he said.

“You also want diversification of energy supply routes. You have the oil and gas reserves sufficient for 100, 150 years. Yes, we still do not know whether it will be for 100 or 150 years. However we already have such confidence. If we do not use other resources, the situation will be like this. Our country has no reserves. Thus, we have to diversify energy sources, diversify routes and we have to plan work in advance. In that case we are ready to render help to Azerbaijan and with our technologies to foster your energy development, even your progress in the field of nuclear energy, renewable energy”, President François Hollande said.

President of France also marked cooperation in the space industry as one of the major directions: “We reached very important agreement in space industry”. He particularly touched upon cooperation in the field of urban development, agriculture and tourism. 

“The work that has been done is only a first stage. Both we and structures of our countries can together implement a strategy of cooperation development between France and Azerbaijan for the coming ten years”, President François Hollande emphasized. 

In his statement, President François Hollande emphasized that Azerbaijan and France also follow single position in EU’s concept called “Eastern Partnership”. “This partnership is not directed against  any certain party. It is to provide rapid development, exchanges, investments and finally stability”, he said. 

“The purpose of the visit is to strengthen relations between Europe, France and the partners which are independent nowadays”, he said. 

A number of documents including a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy of France were signed following the outcomes of the visit to Baku. This memorandum provides new prospects for cooperation between the two countries in terms of global and regional energy security. 

“We are closely cooperating with France in this sphere as well, Azerbaijan is making efforts for enhancing energy security of Europe”, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said at the press conference held jointly with President of France François Hollande. 

According to him, documents signed at the end of the past year will promote supply of Azerbaijani gas to Europe. He expressed confidence that realization of this project would make Azerbaijan’s relationship with Europe much closer. 

“The Contract of the 21st Century was signed last year. It consists of three components: production, transportation and sale. The significance of relations between the European Union and Azerbaijan are in the foreground”, President of Azerbaijan noted. “Shah Deniz, Trans Anatolian and Trans Adriatic projects are the largest infrastructure projects of Europe”, President of Azerbaijan emphasized. According to him, the size of planned investments totals almost $45 bln. “As a result of implementation of this project, all parties – both Azerbaijan, transit-states and European consumers will only benefit since this project meets interests of every party”, President of Azerbaijan emphasized. “We certainly invite French companies to take part in these projects. I am confident that cooperation in this area will secure our joint interests as well as create splendid business opportunities. In this way, the French-Azerbaijani friendship will keep developing successfully”, he noted. 

“In the Caspian basin Azerbaijan continues remaining a leader in supply of energy resources to the world markets including Europe. It is evident that the matters of energy security became as important as national security issues of every state. Both large oil-gas resources, the operating and under construction transport infrastructure of Azerbaijan have broadly changed the energy map of Europe”, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said.   

In reply to the questions of journalists, President of Azerbaijan emphasized that initiatives put forward by Azerbaijan and concerning energy security are supported by European structures. “We managed to established very efficient and perfect cooperation”, President of Azerbaijan said and noted that “no other external party can influence our steps taken in foreign and internal policy”. “Azerbaijan is an independent state, considers independence first and enjoys its benefits very efficiently”, Ilham Aliyev said.