Soltanov: Azerbaijan turned oil into geopolitical power

The Baku Summer Energy School is sometimes referred to as the United Nations of Energy, Azerbaijani Deputy Energy Minister Elnur Soltanov stated, Report informs.

Soltanov made the remark at the event dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Baku Summer Energy School, organized by ADA University's Institute for Development and Diplomacy, while discussing Azerbaijan's energy history, the role of oil in the country's development, and its strategic choices.

The deputy minister touched upon Azerbaijan's identity as the Land of Fire, noting its historical roots and symbolic links to Greek mythology: "Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to humans, for which he was chained to the Caucasus mountains. I believe this was part of the Caucasus in Azerbaijan, since ancient Greeks knew about the naturally seeping oil and gas here. Fire has always existed in Azerbaijan."

He emphasized that Azerbaijan has historically managed to turn its energy resources into an advantage.

Soltanov recalled that the world's first industrially drilled oil well was put into operation in Azerbaijan in 1846, years before the famous Pennsylvania well.

According to him, the rapid development of Baku's oil industry in the 19th century attracted leading engineers, architects, and scientists from around the world: "In just a few years, Baku became one of the most vibrant cities globally. As a result of this development, in 1918, Azerbaijan established the first democratic republic in the Muslim world."

The deputy minister highlighted Azerbaijan's crucial role during World War II, noting that in 1941, more than 80% of the oil used by the Soviet Union's Eastern Front against Nazi Germany came from Azerbaijan.

He also addressed the modern era, stressing that in the 1990s, Azerbaijan turned its energy resources into a factor serving national interests through strategic decisions: "Oil was both an opportunity and a curse. The occupation that Azerbaijan faced in the 1990s cannot be assessed separately from the oil factor. But the country made strategic choices. As a result, oil and gas became valuable not only for Azerbaijan but also for the region and the world. Ultimately, one of the key factors that enabled the liberation of our lands was precisely this," Soltanov added.