Turkish professor: TANAP and TAP bring geopolitical success and benefit to Azerbaijan and Turkey

Besides geopolitical successes, launch of TANAP and STAR Refinery bring benefit to the both countries, Turkish Professor Sedat Aybar told Report.

He underlined benefits of both projects: "For instance, STAR refinery provided jobs to 19,500 people from 14 countries, including more than 3,000 engineers. The refinery reduced Turkey’s dependence on import of naphta, xylene and reformat. At the same time, the refinery helped reduce the deficit by producing diesel, aircraft fuel, LPG and petroleum coke."

"Benefits of projects in Turkey for Azerbaijan can be considered as economic and geopolitical successes."

Sedat Aybar

Turkish professor Sedat Aybar

The professor also noted that TANAP is a strategic project in terms of transportation of Azerbaijani gas to the West: "TANAP is the main part of the Southern Gas Corridor, which is 3,500 km in length. The project costs $7 billion. Besides variety of natural gas sources of Europe and Turkey, TANAP is also one of the strategic steps to turn Turkey into an energy corridor. The project will also transport 6 bcm of natural gas to Turkey and meet 12% of Turkey’s demand for natural gas."

Aybar added that benefits of these projects to Azerbaijan may be more than to Turkey: "TANAP is a project providing introduction of Azerbaijan’s products in more competitive conditions. Azerbaijan will carry out transportation to Europe, for instance Italy, via direct route. Joining this market increases Azerbaijan’s strategic importance in both Europe and the region. From this standpoint, benefits of projects in Turkey for Azerbaijan can be considered as economic and geopolitical successes."

The professor also noted that TANAP and STAR are contributing to the diversification of Azerbaijan’s economy: "Generally, it’s clear that such investments create jobs. SOCAR’s projects in Turkey contribute to the country’s economy. Turkey has a problem in meeting domestic demand for energy and natural gas. TANAP’s importance for Turkey is obvious. Along with creating jobs, STAR refinery also supports innovation and entrepreneurship. It provides multifunctional benefit for Turkey."