ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Friday that Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline which was a ''myth'' was turned into a reality.
President Sezer sent a message to foundation laying ceremony of Georgian part of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline.
Presidential Press Center said that Sezer stated that another important level was reached in the way of realization of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline project and expressed his pleasure and pride over it.
Sezer said in his message that starting of construction of Georgian part of the project showed that the myth was turned into a reality and noted, ''today's ceremony is a vivid example of joint success of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia and the United States which is based on long-term and farsighted cooperation which has been continuing with determination.''
Stressing that Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline which was beyond a strategic initiative had some peculiarities, Sezer said, ''it is also a model project for sustainable development. Taking into consideration environmental, economic and social factors in development and implementation of the project brings a model peculiarity to the project.''
President Sezer said that Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline would pave the way for increase of prosperity in the region by bringing some economic benefits, job opportunities and employment and stated that the project would also help security and variety in demand for energy and thus, it would contribute to peace, stability and regional cooperation.
Recalling that they participated in the foundation laying ceremony of pipeline last September, Sezer said that installation of pipelines started in Georgia today.
Sezer stressed that the next step would be Caspian oil's being loaded to the first tanker in Ceyhan.
President Sezer said, ''I would like to thank friends and partners of us for their assistance in turning a myth into a reality.''
(EÖ-AÖ) 23.05.2003