OREANDA-NEWS. Azerbaijan has made it clear to its European partners that it is impossible to exclude Iran from Shah Deniz contract oriented to gas exports to the EU for security reasons.

Today in Baku at the meeting of the Committee on Energy Security of Euronest Parliamentary Assembly Elshad Nasirov, vice president of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), has stated that when discussing the sanctions of the EU, the U.S. and the UN against Iran an initial reaction on the participation of Iranians in Shah Deniz field was: let’s just get rid of them, but it is impossible to get rid of them.

"First of all, they are part of the agreement. Second, we’ll not do this and refuse from their participation in the consortium, because we’ll not be able to produce serious amounts of gas in disputed areas of the Caspian basin. Third, the most important point is an issue of safety," Nasirov stated.

He had to explain in detail on a hypothetical example the last point.

"Let’s imagine that someone strikes a blow to Iran. Let it be not the United States, but for example, Israel. Iran will strike back, but its missiles will never reach the territory of U.S. and NATO countries for several reasons. And of course they cannot reach Israel’s territory on 2 factors: first, Israel has a good enough antiaircraft defense system and, second, the Iranian missile range is 500 km, and they are unlikely to get in Israel. In this situation the question arises as to whom they will send their strike. To Turkey - no, Georgia - no, to Russia - no, Armenia - God be with you. The only initial reaction is to attack the source of energy security, allies of Israel, the U.S and Europe. And precisely energy security of Europe is guaranteed on Shah Deniz platform," Nasirov said.

Initially a 10% stake in Shah Deniz contract belongs to Iranian national company NICO.

"When we discuss energy security of Europe, it means that the military security of Azerbaijan and Georgia is guaranteed by the energy security of Europe," Nasirov said.