Had the Azerbaijan People’s Republic not collapsed in 1920, we would have been one of the richest countries now, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said at the opening of the Southern Gas Corridor.

The head of state noted that as Azerbaijan was not independent in the next period, the people could not benefit from resources: ‘The industrial method of oil production was first used in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan produced more than half of oil in the world in late 19th century and early 20th century. However, the people were poor. Azerbaijan was just a source of resource. Azerbaijan’s oil did not serve our people. Absheron peninsula had faced an ecological disaster. But in the period of independence, the people can use their resources. Today, we are implementing such large projects with our partners and recompiling Europe’s energy map’.