Azerbaijan to increase gas supplies to Europe by 30 pct this year

BAKU, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Azerbaijan plans to boost its supplies of natural gas to Europe by 30 percent this year, pumping 10.5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas, the country's state oil company, SOCAR, said Friday.

"Getting a direct access to the European market has ensured the diversification of Azerbaijan's export capacity. This adds value to Azerbaijan's economy, at the same time cementing the country's standing as Europe's reliable gas supplier," SOCAR said in a statement.