Approximately 20 specialists are participating in the discussions and working groups will be formed for them to complete the document stage by stage

Negotiations began yesterday in Baku for Kazakhstan to participate in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline project. Natig Aliev, SOCAR President, reported that Kairgeldi Kabildin, Executive Director of "KazMunaiGaz", is representing Kazakhstan at the negotiations. However, Timur Kulibayev, First Vice-President of "KazMunaiGaz", expects to participate as well. Additional participants include: BTC Co., ConocoPhilips, INPEX, Agip, and TotalFinaElf. Aliev said two versions of the treaty between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are under discussion. "We plan to develop the appropriate choice and submit it to the respective governments," Aliev noted. Aliev stressed that the parties agree on many issues but there are disagreements as well. Approximately 20 specialists are participating in the discussions and working groups will be formed for them to complete the document stage by stage. According to the SOCAR President, one more meeting of the high-ranking officials will be held in October, 2003. Information for this report provided by Trend