Azerbaijan promise of oil supply to spur construction of pipeline to Gdansk

Azerbaijan has promised to supply Poland with 10 million tonnes of oil annually, giving a green light for the construction of the Odessa-Brody-Gdansk pipeline. "The position of my counterparts suggests, the 10 million tonne oil supply is guaranteed," said Economy Minister Janusz Steinhoff after meeting Azerbaijani prime minister Artur Rasizade and economy minister Mamik Nasrullajew in Baku. On the Ukrainian side 70% of the network has already been completed, while on the Polish side work has not yet begun. "A preliminary guarantee for oil supplies will give a boost to construction of the Polish stretch of the pipeline. Within a month we will create a consortium in Poland and by the end of 2000 in Ukraine," said Golden Gates CEO Caezary Filipowicz. Golden Gates was created to promote the idea of a Ukrainian and Polish connection. The 740 kilometer pipeline across Poland is estimated to cost zl. 830 million and take three-four years to complete. (Rzeczpospolita, page B2)