FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

July 17, 2003

 

 

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT

FOR BAKU-TBILISI-CEYHAN PIPELINE PROJECT

International Public Support and

Monitoring Coalition for the BTC

 

The undersigned non-governmental organisations, institutions and individuals issue this statement to express their full support and backing for the initiation and implementation of the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan Main Export Pipeline Project (BTC MEP). With this statement the undersigned organisations, institutions and individuals endorse the BTC Support Campaign and express agreement and solidarity with its aims, objectives and goals.

 

Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline is a major infrastructural project, which will bring considerable benefits to the countries through which it will pass. It is a complex project requiring close scrutiny and examination. It is essential that strict environmental and social standards in construction and consequent maintenance of the pipeline are adhered to throughout the lifetime of the project.

 

Civil societies in all three countries have demonstrated close interest in this important project and are committed to ensuring that democracy and the environment benefit from this major economic investment in the Caspian region.

 

Specifically, this concern induced us to rally in Coalition of NGO on coordination of our efforts for the support and monitoring of the project. Today there are more than 220 public organizations of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, as well as the United Kingdom and United States of America, in Coalition and they are acting in social, environmental, cultural and other spheres.

 

 

BTC is of essential economic interest for the countries participating in the project. Azerbaijan, as the owner of natural resources, stands to be the major beneficiary in terms of royalties and tax revenue over the next forty years; Georgia and Turkey will benefit from BTC as transit countries, receiving income from tariffs and rent.

 

Large amounts of investment into the construction of the pipeline will also attract further investment in the long term into associated sectors of regional economies; some developmental initiatives are already being established.

 

No other sector of Azerbaijani or Georgian economies has the scope or the capacity to generate the level of direct foreign investment comparable to that being generated by BTC. It is paramount for Azerbaijan to attain sufficient means to realize its natural resources on international markets. BTC is consistent with that objective and also with the Georgian government’s strategy of establishing the country as a transit route for Caspian energy resources.

 

Thousands of local jobs will be created during the two year pipeline construction period and some 850 jobs will be created permanently for its operation and maintenance. Long term benefits arising from the investment of BTC-generated revenues into economic and social development, especially in Azerbaijan and Georgia, will depend on the ability of their governments and wider societies to mobilise national will to ensure fair, equitable, efficient and corruption-free management of the project.

 

 

 

The environment of the Caspian region suffered badly during the Soviet-era oil exploration programmes and other Moscow-operated industrial policies. Low environmental consciousness and the planned nature of the Soviet economy ensured that areas of the Caspian region are now in a state of grave ecological danger with high levels of industrial, chemical and other forms of pollution.

 

The involvement of Western oil corporations has marked the beginning of a new chapter in environmental policy in the region and proved conducive to higher environmental awareness and wider assessment of the ecological risks associated with the production and export of oil. Transfer of technology, modern practices, better training and education as well as the adoption of international social and environmental standards have contributed to the improvement in environmental decision-making in the Caspian.

 

Despite of the problems associated with such a large-scale infrastructural project, BTC stands as an unprecedented example of up-market environmentalism in the Caspian region in the 21st century. The entire 1,700 km of the pipeline will be buried underground (a practice unheard of during the Soviet period) with little impact on the environment. Moreover, the decision to lay it to the port of Ceyhan on the coast of Mediterranean avoids the already overused waters of the Bosporus is of great environmental significance, decreasing the risks of moving oil by tankers.

 

Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey are rapidly democratising nations, which have made considerable progress in their efforts to integrate into the global economy. BTC will provide these countries with a direct physical link to the rest of the international economic system.

 

Host Government and Intergovernmental agreements signed by the governments of the three countries and the BTC corporate consortium are perfectly democratic legal instruments designed to decrease risks for the investors and host governments and establish a legal framework for the project. The constitutions of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey make specific and abundant provision for the protection of human, social, cultural and environmental rights of the citizens and override all Host Government Agreements.

 

 

The Caspian region has historically been subjected to intense competition between various international powers and suffered from long periods of colonial exploitation.

 

The collapse of the Soviet Union has enabled free and independent nations of the Caucasus (Azerbaijan and Georgia) as well as Central Asian republics to develop their natural resources for their own benefit for the first time. Despite that a new chapter in the “Great Game” was opened and numerous conflicts in the region, often fermented by outside forces, are testament to that.

 

Diversification of international interests in the Caspian region is of paramount importance for continued independence and prosperity of local communities. BTC provides for such diversification, entrenching Western interests in the region. BTC has the capacity to create a system of a balance of power, which will strengthen the bargaining positions of Azerbaijan, Georgia and other independent countries of the Caspian region. The presence of the Euro-American factor in the regional political map will be conducive to peace, democracy and prosperity in the entire Caspian.

 

 

This Statement is supported by the following Members of the Coalition of NGOs for Support and Monitoring of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline:

 

1.       

Entrepreneurship Development Foundation

Sabit Bagirov

2.       

Vatan Society (UK)

Murad Oguz-Gassanly

3.       

Azerbaijan Society of America (USA)

Tomris Azeri

4.       

Azeri-Turk Community (UK)

Ramin Yashar

5.       

British-Azerbaijan Youth Society

Taleh Bagiyev

6.       

United Aid For Azerbaijan (UK)

Thea Burchell

7.       

World Azerbaijan Congress (UK- Branch)

Sharokh Mazhari

8.       

BakuToday newspaper

Mahir Iskender

9.       

Yeni Dostlar Network / Habarlar-L News Service

Javid Huseynov

10.   

AzeriVoice newsletter

Fariz Ismailzade

11.   

Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan

Ali Kerimli

 

 

This Statement also coincides and is supported in principle by the following Members of the Coalition of Azerbaijani NGOs for Support and Monitoring of the BTC MEP in their respective memorandums of support on November 2002:

 

 

12.   

International Eurasia Press Fund

Umid Mirzoyev

13.   

Azerbaijan National NGO Forum

Azay Guliyev

14.   

Progress and Democracy Fund

Ahmed Gashamogli

15.   

«Our Home» Children Ecological Union

Firuza Amirova

16.   

«Black Earth» Consulting LTD

Fariz Hajiyev

17.   

«Caucasus” International Intellectual Entrepreneurs Society 

Abbas Musayev

18.   

«World, Mother and Child» Social Union

Yegana Mammadova

19.   

Evrika Center

Ganira Beyzadeh

20.   

Inam Research Center 

Vahid Gazi

21.   

«Care for people” Social Union

Azad Hasanov

22.   

«Yeni Zaman” newspaper

Hijran Hamidova

23.   

«Yeni Sabran» Social Union

Shamil Mammadov

24.   

Kadastr and Monitoring Support Center

Elchin Veliyev

25.   

Kainat Social Union

Elman Aliyev

26.   

Lotos Azerbaijan Disabled Organizations Social Union

Etibar Ashurov

27.   

Logman Refugee Support Center 

Tahira Nuriyeva

28.   

Multimedia Center of Informational Systems and Technologies

Osman Gunduzov

29.   

Real Property Social Union

Ramiz Eminov

30.   

Nijat Relief to Refugees Social Union

Ali Ahmedov

31.   

Nur Society

Zakir Abdullayev

32.   

Noble ladies Social Union

Arifa Mammadova

33.   

«Ojag Yeri” Social Union

Donmaz Mammadov

34.   

Savab Humanitarian Aid Society

Mahir Abbasov

35.   

Samur

Beynameddin Davudov

36.   

Sahil Information and Research Center

Fidan Fatiyeva

37.   

Healthy future Youth Social Union

Zabit Gulushov

38.   

«Simurq» Culture Association

Rauf Mukimov

39.   

Slovenian Family

Lyudmila Rzayeva

40.   

Peace NGO

Seymur Sarkhanov

41.   

«Tugan tel» Tatar Cultural Society

Guljan Muasoutova

42.   

Takamul Charity Organization

Narmina Huseynova

43.   

Tarjumachi Social Union

Tarana Veliyeva

44.   

Tasalli Charity Organization

Mahizar Xalilova

45.   

Filantrop Social Union

Farasat Gurbanov

46.   

Place of Hope Charity Society

Farida Najafzadeh

47.   

Hami Social Union

Esmira Ismayilova

48.   

Humanitarian Organization «Humaydar»

Himayat Rizvangizi

49.   

Havva Charity Society

Solmaz Yusifova

50.   

Humanitarian Organization «Hayat»

Vusal Rajabli

51.   

«Hafta ichi» newspaper

Ali  Salimov

52.   

International Society of Eastern Civil Integration

Muhibullah Darvish

53.   

Association of Young Azeri Friends  of Europe

Shahin Bayramov

54.   

Agroeko-Consulting Center

Saleh Huseynov

55.   

Independent Consumers Union

Eyyub Huseynov

56.   

Azerbaijan Volunteers Union

Jeyhun Osmanli

57.   

Azerbaijan Advertisers Union

Sayali Safarova

58.   

Azerbaijan Union of Patriotic War Veterans

Altay Mammadov

59.   

Azerbaijan Citizen Union

Irada Rzazadeh

60.   

Azerbaijan Center of  Women and Development

Gulnar Rustamova

61.   

Azerbaijan Women Society

Roza Ibrahimova

62.   

Azerbaijan Valuators Society 

Vugar Mammadtagiyev

63.   

Azerbaijan Democratic Student Youth Organization

Zaur Nuriyev

64.   

Azerbaijan Diabetes Society

Yegana Teymur qizi

65.   

Azerbaijan Writers Union

Ilgar Ilkin

66.   

Azerbaijan Creative Engineers Union

Gurban Gurbanov

67.   

Azerbaijan Enlightener Charitable Women Social Union

Kubra Babayeva

68.   

Azerbaijan Marketing Association

Jahangir Najafov

69.   

ODAR  International Organization

Hasan Hasanov

70.   

Azerbaijan Civil Engineers Union

Khalid Mustafayev

71.   

Azerbaijan Guardian Youth Union

Annaqi Mammadov

72.   

Azerbaijan Republic Education Society

Nugay Aliyev

73.   

International Disabled Fighters` Foundation of Azerbaijan Republic

Sarraf Orujov

74.   

Azerbaijan Republic Veterans Union

Shahmar Mammadov

75.   

Sahhat Azerbaijan Republic Social Fund

Tariyel Hasanov

76.   

Zaur Charitable Society

Zaur Seyidzadeh

77.   

Center of Azerbaijan Social-Economic Development

Azad Aliyev

78.   

Azerbaijan Industrialists and Owners

Shakir  Shafiyev

79.   

Azerbaijan Medical Association

Nariman Safarli

80.   

Azerbaijan Nurses Social Union

Nahayet Mammadova

81.   

Azerbaijan Turks Cultural Union

Aslan Xalidli

82.   

Azerbaijan Association of Hemophilia Affected

Gulnara Huseynova

83.   

Azerbaijan Society Development

Gulnara Yusifova

84.   

United Aid for Azerbaijan (UAFA)

Kamil Aliyev

85.   

Social Union of the Azerbaijan-Bruney Cooperation on Contribution and Information

Zohrab Aliyev

86.   

Azerbaijan-Holland Friendship Society

Gulnara Xalilova

87.   

Union of Azeri-Turkish Women

Gulnara Abdullayeva

88.   

Analytical Information and Research Centre

Sevdin Huseynzadeh

89.   

Badamdar Municipality

Azer Huseynov

90.   

Bilajary Municipality

Fazahim Piriyev

91.   

Ahmedli Municipality

Rauf Qahramanov

92.   

Balaken region  Qayqi Social Union

Ziyafat Ibrahimova

93.   

Azerbaijan National Group of International  Human Rights Society

Saadat Bananyarli

94.   

International Rescue Committee

Agalar Mahmud

95.   

Bibi-heybat Municipality

Jabir Mammadov

96.   

League of Citizen Labour Rights Protection

Mirhashim Hashimli

97.   

Woman and Culture Charity Center

Sudaba Shiraliyeva

98.   

Caucasus Business Development Center

Gulnara Alekberova

99.   

Refugee and IDP Youth Organization

Zahid Akberov

100.           

Help to Refugee and IDP

Telman Dadashov

101.           

Gabala-Forum

Galib Nabiyev

102.           

Center for West-East International and Strategic Research

Aynur Hasanova

103.           

Society of Women Rights Protection named after D.Aliyeva

Novella Jafarova

104.           

Mountain Sport Club

Tarlan Ramazanov

105.           

Progress and  Democracy Foundation

Ahmed Gashamogli

106.           

World Azeri-Turk Women Protection Center

Khavar Gahramani

107.           

World Young Turkish Writers Union

Akber Goshali

108.           

Railway Shekhids and Refugees Union

Khadija Babayeva

109.           

Ecological Enlightenment and Monitoring SU

Gamza Yusubova

110.           

Union of Fight Against Armenian Aggression

Noyzali Aliyev

111.           

Center for Journalist Research

Sevda Nasibli

112.           

Inam Yolu

Garay Suleymanov

113.           

Business Youth Union

Babek Mehdiyev

114.           

Creative Women Association

Afag Huseynova

115.           

Association of New Writers and  Artists

Aydin Khanabilov

116.           

Center of Democracy, Development and Education named after K.Popper

Ogtay Aliyev

117.           

Kickboxing Federation

Sevindik Mehdiyev

118.           

Union of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs of Azerbaijan

Adil Abdullayev

119.           

Development and Stimulation of a Small Business Social Union

Adil Babayev

120.           

Guba-Forum

Eynulla Xeyrullayev

121.           

Mesenat Educational Center

Vugar Alisoy

122.           

Charity Social Union named after National Hero Emin Guliyev

Saltanat Safarova

123.           

National Ecologic Forecast Center

Telman Zeynalov

124.           

Karvan Independent Social Research Center

Javid Eyvazov

125.           

Independent Legal Center

Aydin Kerimov

126.           

Invitation to the Cultural Purity Social Union

Elshan Mustafayev

127.           

  Charity Ladies Society

Rena Veliyeva

128.           

IDP Society

Shahlar Agalar

129.           

Society of Women in the Oil Industry of Azerbaijan

Solmaz Hajiyeva

130.           

Oil Industry Workers Rights Protection Organization

Mirvari Gahramanli

131.           

IIALD

Shahin Gurbanov

132.           

All Azerbaijan Transport Workers Social Union

Natig Alekberov

133.           

OXFAM-Refugee Social Union

Tahir Muradov

134.           

Piligrim

Yuriy Valuyev

135.           

Azerbaijan Republic Karabakh War Disabled, Veterans and Shekhid Families Social Union

Mehdi Mehdiyev

136.           

Azerbaijan Republic Shekhid Mothers Society

Rafiga Askerova

137.           

Azerbaijan Republic Children Fund

Flora Salimova

138.           

RUH Committee of Azerbaijan Journalists Protection

Aflatun Amashov

139.           

Rashid Behbudov Fund

Kamil Shahverdiyev

140.           

Center for Politic Technologies and Innovations

Mubariz Ahmedoglu

141.           

Socio-Ecology Training Center

Fikret Jafarov

142.           

International Center for Social Research

Tahir Farhadov

143.           

Social Balance Social Union

Firdovsi Guliyev

144.           

Sumgayit-Forum

Jeyla Hajiyeva

145.           

Businessmen and Producers Union

Sevgim Rahmanov

146.           

TV-Cinema-XXI century Association

Nazim Rza

147.           

Turan  Creators Association

Jeyhun Hajibeyli

148.           

Charity Foundation of Education Workers and Students

Tamilla Bagirova

149.           

Child`s Ecological Polis

Gulnara Nabiyeva

150.           

Social Union Protecting the Rights of Azerbaijan citizens Working with Foreigners

Masul Mirmanafov

151.           

Umid-98 Humanitarian and Social Aid Center

Israil Iskenderov

152.           

University Educated  Women

Tamam Jafarova

153.           

Shamkir-Forum

Fuad Badalov

154.           

Mercy Light Charity Society

Zoya Azizova

155.           

Transparency-Azerbaijan

Rena Safaraliyeva

156.           

Charity Society  named after H.Z.Tagiyev

Nariman Aliyev

157.           

Public Ecological Foundation named after Hasan Aliyev

Abdulla Abdullazadeh

158.           

Humanitarian Research Society

Avaz Hasanov

159.           

Legal Enlightenment Social Union

Irada Javadova

160.           

World Azerbaijanis Charity Society named after H.Zardabi

Settar Zardabi

161.           

Mingachevir-Forum

Astan Yusubov

162.           

Azerbaijan-Georgian Relations

Ali Khalili

163.           

Gedebey Progress Social Union

Damir Nabiyev

164.           

Young Diplomats Union

Rafet Aliyev

165.           

Young Economists Union

Azer Amiraslanov

166.           

Ali-Bayramli –Forum

Ali Mirzoyev

167.           

Disabled Women Society

Mahluga Rahimova

168.           

Hajigabul region Leyla Charity Society

Sudaba Jabrayilova

169.           

Kurdamir region Youth Organization

Rashadat Xalafov

170.