[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 82 (Thursday, May 29, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


     RECOGNIZING THE 96TH ANNIVERSARY OF AZERBAIJAN'S REPUBLIC DAY

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                         HON. MICHAEL R. TURNER

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 29, 2014

  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Azerbaijan on its Republic 
Day. On May 28, 1918, Azerbaijan declared its independence from the 
Russian Empire--making it the first democracy in the Muslim world. 
Unfortunately, only a few short years later in 1920 Azerbaijan was 
invaded by the Russian Red Army and was subsequently incorporated into 
the Soviet Union. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, 
Azerbaijan regained its independence in 1991.
  Azerbaijan continues to be an important partner with the United 
States in counter-terrorism efforts and initiatives to bolster energy 
security with strategic allies. With its vast resources of oil and gas, 
Azerbaijan is a key component to help our strategic allies in NATO and 
other European countries diversify their energy resources.
  Many of our strategic allies in Europe are heavily dependent upon 
natural gas from one source or from unstable regions. And the ongoing 
events in Ukraine are a stark reminder that the United States must 
enhance our strategic partnerships with allies in Europe and Eurasia. 
That is why we must continue to support initiatives such as the 
Southern Gas Corridor which will route natural gas from Azerbaijan to 
Europe.
  The Caspian Sea region holds significant energy resources and proven 
natural gas reserves. In particular, the Shah Deniz field in Azerbaijan 
is one of the world's largest gas fields, with over 30 trillion cubic 
feet of recoverable gas. The Southern Gas Corridor will help our 
European allies diversify their energy resources by providing an 
alternative and reliable source of natural gas. This will increase 
global energy supplies and create a more competitive natural gas 
market, helping to bolster energy security and help improve 
geopolitical stability in the region.
  Successive U.S. administrations have supported the development of 
energy resources in the Caspian Sea region, including earlier oil and 
gas pipelines from Azerbaijan to neighboring nations, as well as 
developing stronger trade relationships and international partnerships 
with the countries of the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
  In fact, on April 2, 2014 Secretary of State John Kerry, in a joint 
statement with European energy leaders at a meeting of the EU-US Energy 
Council, stated ``The Council reaffirmed the importance of the Southern 
Gas Corridor to bring gas to Europe, urged for timely construction of a 
dedicated, scalable pipeline which keeps the options open for 
additional supplies, and agreed to explore investments to strengthen 
gas supplies to Central and Southeast Europe.''
  The Southern Gas Corridor is an important starting point to provide 
Europe with an alternative and reliable source of energy. Establishment 
of the pipeline lays the foundation for opportunities for greater 
amounts of natural gas development and further pipeline infrastructure 
to bring additional energy resources to Europe.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
Azerbaijan on the 96th anniversary of its Republic Day.

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