Official Speeches and Remarks by Ambassador Anne E. Derse

US Ambassador’s remarks at Caspian Oil and Gas Show reception

June 3, 2008

Honored Ministers, Dear Guests,

I want to thank you for coming to the joint US-UK Embassy reception in honor of the 15th Annual Caspian Oil and Gas Show.  We are honored to have with us this year a high-level U.S. Government delegation, headed by U.S. Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy Ambassador C. Boyden Gray.  Their presence underscores the importance the U.S. gives to this annual event.  It is an honor for the U.S. Embassy to co-host this event with our long-time friends and allies, the British government. 

Since President Aliyev’s 2006 successful visit to Washington and meeting with President Bush, U.S.-Azerbaijan bilateral cooperation continues to strengthen and deepen, based on the three pillars of economic and political reform, regional security and energy security. 

Azerbaijan successfully completed the first phase of its energy sector development with the opening of the BTC oil pipeline and the South Caucuses gas pipeline in 2006.  Cooperating with other regional countries and with international energy companies, Azerbaijan energy sector development is now entering the second phase, highlighted by development of new, unexploited hydrocarbon resources and by increased energy exports to the region and to Europe, resulting in improved regional and European energy security.  Additionally, Azerbaijan’s importance can only grow, as it seeks to become an important transit country for oil and gas seeking European markets from the other side of the Caspian.  

This year’s oil and gas show, therefore, comes at an exciting time.  The U.S. looks forward to working closely with Azerbaijan, our partners in the region, and energy companies to strengthen and expand the East-West Energy Corridor.  Thank you for coming and enjoy the evening.