Azerbaijani help for oil exploration

AZERBAIJAN: Sri Lanka and Azerbaijan are exploring enhanced cooperation in the oil sector including exploration and crude oil purchasing, reports from Baku said.

Petroleum Minister A.H.M. Fowzie has reported that Sri-Lanka is interested in importing of crude oil from Azerbaijan, one of the leading oil producers in the world. It also has several companies that specialise in oil exploration which Sri Lanka intends to start next year.

"We held discussions on a range of spheres, including cooperation in the oil sector. With this aim we will invite Azerbaijani companies to Sri-Lanka," Minister Fowzie said. The meeting of the official guest was held with Natik Aliyev, the Azerbaijani Energy Industry Minister, yesterday.

The ministerial delegation also comprises Minister of Development of Export and International Trade Prof. G.L. Peiris.

They will be holding meetings with the president of the Setae Oil Company of Azerbaijan, Rovnag Abdullayev, the Energy and Industry Minister, Natik Aliyev, the Foreign Minister, Elmar Mammadyarov, the Minister for Economic Development, Heydar Babayev and Emil Majidov, Head of AZPROMO.

The Azerbaijani President will also meet with the delegation. Sri Lanka is interested in the energy resources of Azerbaijan and this visit serves to strengthen relations in this sector.

The issue of future cooperation will be the main topic of discussion during negotiation by the Sri Lanka delegation.

"Azerbaijan can provide assistance to Sri Lanka to improve its oil-producing industry and I believe that the Sri Lanka delegation will demonstrate such an interest during their visit to Baku," the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Sri Lanka noted.