Congratulations from State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR)

Esteemed Mr. Miller!

On behalf of the multi-thousand team of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic and on my personal behalf I would like to heartily congratulate you and your colleagues on an outstanding event – the 20^th anniversary of Gazprom; I wish you robust health and ever greater achievements in the development of the Russian petroleum industry.

Having the world’s largest natural gas reserves as well as an extensive and ramified gas transmission system, Gazprom reliably and efficiently supplies the ‘blue fuel’ to consumers both in Russia and abroad, successfully executing the Russian Regions Gasification Program and playing a key role in the global energy market. Gazprom, which accounts for 15 per cent of the global gas production, successfully fulfills the strategic objectives on retaining its position as a world’s leading energy company as well as entering new markets and new lines of business.

We think that all these achievements were made due to both Gazprom’s management and all of the employees, their high professionalism, sense of responsibility, tremendous commitment and ability to make efficient decisions.

The leading international agencies give a high rating to Gazprom’s performance. In the past 20 years Gazprom has made a difficult way, becoming the flagship of the Russian economy, an advanced and dynamic company. Today it is really Russia’s national treasure. The Company takes great efforts making a considerable contribution to the well-being of Russian citizens as well as implements various social projects.

Azerbaijan and Russia have an established history of strong friendly relations. Heydar Aliyev, leader of our nation saw Russia as Azerbaijan’s reliable strategic partner and laid special emphasis on the importance of cooperation in the economic and fuel and energy sectors for the development of intergovernmental relations. Azerbaijan, as well as Russia, is a rapidly developing country, which demonstrates high rates of socioeconomic growth due to the new oil strategy and petroleum industry achievements. It is pleasant to note that State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and Gazprom are the drivers of our countries’ economic prosperity. The existing stable relationships of the mutually beneficial cooperation between SOCAR and Gazprom are the result of friendly ties established between the Azerbaijan Republic and the Russian Federation.

In January 2012 Gazprom Export and SOCAR signed an addendum to the natural gas purchase and sales contract concluded in October 2009. I am strongly convinced that the cooperation between SOCAR and Gazprom will continue to be fruitful. Not only does successful implementation of joint projects meet our common interests, but it is also an important factor of strengthening the friendly ties between our nations and countries under the leadership of Ilkham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation.

Esteemed Mr. Miller! On this solemn festive day let me cordially wish you and all the employees of the Company you head new labor achievements and all the best!

I am sure that your profound knowledge, rich working and life experience, outstanding abilities and a reasonable approach to tasks will enable you to successfully meet the challenges you face.

I sincerely wish the coming decades in Gazprom’s biography to be as bright and efficient. Let the experience gained during this time and, undoubtedly, the highest potential serve as a secure foundation for new victories and achievements!

Rovnag Abdullayev

Sincerely yours, President of SOCAR