Azerbaijani media report launch of petroleum shipment to Armenia

The Azerbaijani APA news agency reports that exports of petroleum products from Azerbaijan to Armenia will begin on December 18.

Based on an agreement reached during a meeting on November 28 in Gabala between Armenia’s Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan and Azerbaijan’s Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev, who chair the border delimitation/security commissions from both sides, 22 railcars of AI-95 gasoline produced by SOCAR will be dispatched today, according to the report.

APA reported that the gasoline will be sold to Armenia at international market prices.

The report comes after Azerbaijani news outlets reported earlier this month that the supply of Azerbaijani petroleum to Armenia via Georgia had been obstructed due to a tariff policy pursued by Tbilisi. Armenian authorities confirmed on December 8 that discussions were held with their Georgian counterparts regarding the possible transit of Azerbaijani fuel.

Georgia’s Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, earlier said that Tbilisi takes into account the interests of Armenia and Azerbaijan in talks on cargo transit via his country.

The Armenian government has not yet commented on the report of the first shipment.