Estonia embraces Azeri energy resources

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Estonia joined a chorus of voices embracing European plans to diversify its energy sector through ties with Azerbaijan, ministers said.

"Europe's energy demand grows from year to year," said Estonian Economic and Communications Minister Juhan Parts. "Azerbaijani gas may and must be represented on the (European) market."

His comments came during the first visit to Baku by Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who led a delegation of high-ranking officials to the Azeri capital this week.

European customers are scrambling for alternative resources to relieve a market dependent on Russian energy. Ilves said the current gas crisis between Ukraine and Russia, which left Europe in the cold, prompted renewed efforts toward that goal, Russian news agency ITAR-TASS reported.

"The current crisis (surrounding supplies of Russian natural gas to Europe via Ukraine) shows that dependence on one kind of energy resources, including natural gas, may be dangerous for Europe," said the Estonian president.

Speaking on the planned Nabucco gas pipeline from Caspian and Middle Eastern suppliers to Europe, Ilves said that while his country is a member of the European community, its domestic energy policy is not biased.

"Estonia, as a member of the EU, is guided by the energy security principle and does not argue against one or another route of energy supplies," he said.