Azerbaijan to resume oil exports via RussiaFebruary 25, 2016 - 18:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Azerbaijan's state energy company SOCAR and Russian oil pipeline operator Transneft signed a new deal on resuming oil shipments via Russia after exports were halted for technical reasons, AzerNews reports. SOCAR will resume oil transportation via the Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline on March 1, Russian media quoted Transneft president’s advisor Igor Demin as saying on Thursday, February 25. “It was initially planned to transport around 1.3 million tons of oil [through the pipeline]. However, transportation volumes will be smaller as the agreement will come into force in March,” Demin explained. Noting that the volumes will be defined for every month, Demin said the agreement is similar to the ones signed in previous years. SOCAR transported 1.27 million tons of oil via the Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline in 2015, up from 932,160 tons in 2014. SOCAR had initially planned to halt oil exports via Russia in February 2014 due to differences over transportation tariffs and volumes of supply, opting instead to send the bulk of its crude through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and retaining some to cover rising domestic demand for oil products. The company reversed its plans later that month. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. Armenian Economy Minister to make trip to UAE May 20-22 A delegation led by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan will travel to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on May 20-22 Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Pillars installed in Armenian border village of Kirants In the Armenian village of Kirants, three border markers have been installed, and border guards stand next to them. |