By Alper Ziya - Trend:
The Southern Gas Corridor is an energy security and energy diversification project. Energy security today is an issue of national security for all countries. Energy diversification is also important for consumer and producer countries. Thus, I think that we have achieved an unprecedented format of cooperation. There is a correctly calculated balance of interests, where the interests of Azerbaijan as a producer coincide with the interests of transit countries and consumers. The implementation of the project, which some individuals considered unreal, became possible thanks to this.
These views, voiced by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on February 11 during a speech at the 7th videoconference meeting of ministers within the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council, reaffirmed the importance of this project both for the region and the entire European continent.
By Alper Ziya - Trend:
Some 15 Turkish sailors taken hostage by sea pirates off the coast of Nigeria were rescued, Director General of Boden Denizcilik A.S. Levent Karsan, Trend reports on Feb. 12. The health of the sailors is normal, they are in Nigeria and will be transported to Turkey within two days, Karsan added.
Sea pirates attacked the Turkish Mozart ship on January 23 in the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of Nigeria. The cargo ship was sailing under the flag of Liberia and pirates attacked the ship 100 nautical miles (185 km) off the Nigerian coast.
Pirates killed mechanical engineers, citizens of Azerbaijan Farman Ismayilov. All other hostages are Turkish citizens. Among surviving 18 crew members, three were left on board.