    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [April 28, 2000]
    [Page 790]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Legal Framework Agreement for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan
    Oil Pipeline
    April 28, 2000

        I am very pleased that today delegations from Azerbaijan, Georgia,
    and Turkey reached agreement on the legal framework for the Baku-
    Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline. Last November in Istanbul, I witnessed the
    signing of initial documents for this framework. Today's achievement
    completes this work and brings the pipeline project a critical step
    closer to fruition.
        By this action, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey have shown once
    again their commitment to building regional cooperation, peaceful
    relations, and better lives for all their people. I congratulate
    Presidents Aliyev, Shevardnadze, and Demirel, along with
    all the negotiating teams, for their leadership in moving this project
    forward.
        I look forward to the next phase of this effort, when companies from
    the United States, Western Europe, and Russia will work with those of
    Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Turkey to transform legal
    frameworks into commercial reality.
        The United States is committed to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline
    as a key part of our overall approach to Caspian energy development. We
    want to ensure access to world markets for the countries of the region,
    while helping diversify sources of energy supply for consumers in the
    United States and around the globe.

     Note: The statement referred to President Heydar Aliyev of Azerbaijan;
    President Eduard Shevardnadze of the Republic of Georgia; and President
    Suleyman Demirel of Turkey.