Czech Republic welcomes possibility of increasing Azerbaijani gas supplies

The Czech Republic welcomes the possibility of increasing gas supplies from Azerbaijan.

The Czech Foreign Ministry made the statement, adding that today the EU is actively negotiating with various energy suppliers, such as Norway, Algeria, Azerbaijan and Nigeria, Trend reports.

"Last week, the EU Energy Council made some progress on this issue. We welcome the possibility of increasing gas supplies from Azerbaijan if it is technically feasible," the ministry said.

Currently, natural gas from Azerbaijan is supplied only to the southern EU countries. Still, right now it is time to change gas flows since the EU replaces 40 per cent of its natural fuel supplies, the Foreign Ministry noted.

According to the ministry, Azerbaijan has been the second largest supplier of oil to the Czech Republic over the past two decades.

"Azeri Light CIF oil is the main ingredient of the oil mixture at the refinery in Kralupy," the Foreign Ministry said.

In addition to cooperation in the energy sector, the Czech Republic would like to develop cooperation with Azerbaijan in many areas, including culture, education, tourism, medicine and ecology, the ministry noted.