AZERBAIJAN: REQUEST FOR POTUS LETTER, HIGH-LEVEL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAKU 000274

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/06/2019
TAGS: AJ ENRG OVIP PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: REQUEST FOR POTUS LETTER, HIGH-LEVEL
ENGAGEMENT

Classified By: Ambassador Anne E. Derse, reasons 1.4 (b,d)


1. (C) SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST: Embassy Baku strongly
recommends that the USG participate in the June 2-5 Caspian
Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference (COGS) COGS at the most
senior level possible, in order to demonstrate continuing USG
resolve in support of the Southern Corridor project and of
European energy diversification. Embassy also requests that
the Department facilitate approval of a Para 4. letter from
President Obama to President Aliyev for the June 2-5 Caspian
Oil and Gas Show in Baku. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) On June 2-5, Baku will host the 16th annual Caspian
Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference (COGS). This event is
the region's premier one of its type, and will host a wide
variety of high-level regional energy officials and senior
executives from international energy companies. President
Aliyev will be giving the keynote address opening the
Exhibition and Conference on June 2.


3. (C) Embassy Baku strongly recommends that the USG
participate in COGS at the most senior level possible .
Recent regional events, to include Russian aggression in
Georgia, highlight the importance of continued strong
support for the Southern Corridor for delivering Caspian
gas to European markets via non-Russian routes. Senior level
participation at COGS will be an important opportunity for
the new US administration to signal high level interest in
and outline USG policy in support of energy diversification.
The GOAJ views the level of USG engagement in COGS as an
important barometer of USG interest in and involvement with
Eurasian energy issues, and of USG support for Azerbaijan's
consistent strong backing of diversification of sources of
energy supply and transport and of the Southern Energy
Corridor. Last year's USG delegation was headed by our
(then) Special Presidential Envoy for Eurasian Energy
Diplomacy, Ambassador C. Boyden Gray.


4. Embassy also requests that the Department facilitate
approval of a letter from President Obama to President Aliyev
for the June 2-5 Caspian Oil and Gas Show in Baku. The
letter will be read aloud by the head of the U.S. delegation
at the opening of the show.

Proposed text follows.

(begin proposed text)

Dear Mr. President:

I would like to offer my congratulations to you and the
people of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the opening of the
Sixteenth International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition and
Conference in Baku.

The vision and drive of Azerbaijan's late President Heydar
Aliyev helped give birth to the East-West Energy Corridor,
embodied in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and South
Caucasus gas pipeline. These projects, spanning hundreds of
miles, three countries and over fifteen international energy
companies, epitomized what can be achieved with vision,
dedication, and cooperation.

Azerbaijan has now launched the next phase of its energy
development. In this last year Azerbaijan has continued
developing its hydrocarbon sector in cooperation with major
international energy companies, in a process that will both
increase regional prosperity and cooperation as well as
increasing global energy security. This last year has also
seen the initial shipments of Tengiz oil from Kazakhstan
transiting Azerbaijan on its way to global markets.

In its drive to develop its energy sector both for the good
of its own people and for greater regional energy security,
Azerbaijan will continue to find a strong partner in the
United States. We will work with Azerbaijan to help prepare
for increasing volumes of oil transit through Azerbaijan, as
countries in the region work together to ensure the creation
of an efficient and commercially viable overland oil
transportation route using ship, rail and pipeline. As
Azerbaijan continues to develop its gas reserves, we will
work together to ensure that Azerbaijani gas and other
Caspian and Central Asian gas can reach both regional and
European markets.

The United States looks forward to continuing to working
closely with Azerbaijan on strategic energy projects. In this
regard, please accept my heartfelt congratulations and best
wishes for the success of the Sixteenth International Caspian

BAKU 00000274 002 OF 002


Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference.



Sincerely,

Barack H. Obama

(end proposed text)
DERSE