Final agreement signed about BTC pipeline project

BAKU (AA) – The final agreement about Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) crude oil pipeline project, which will transport oil to Turkey and world markets, was signed in Baku on Tuesday.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at Gulistan Palace, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan said that they had been maintaining former President Haydar Aliyev’s oil policy successfully.

"Besides economic difficulties, we have experienced Armenian occupation and more than a million Azerbaijani people have become refugees due to that occupation since we acquired our independence. Despite all these negativities, Azerbaijan has taken its place among leading countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States as a result of its successful policies," he said.

Noting that the BTC crude oil pipeline project would be finalized soon, President Aliyev said that a legend came true.

"The agreement we signed today will constitute an important step in this process. After finalization of the project, relations among Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia will further strengthen. The BTC project will make a significant contribution to our countries and peoples," he added.