Konrad Mizzi’s involvement makes SOCAR deal more suspect – AD

AD spokesman on energy and infrastructure Ralph Cassar has commented on the recent revelations regarding the contract for the supply of gas by Azerbaijani state-owned company SOCAR, calling it a shady deal.

“Alternattiva Demokratika has been pushing for a move towards cleaner and renewable energy in Malta and has always been in favour of investment in infrastructure to make our energy supply more sustainable. Gas is an important transition fuel, much cleaner than other fossil fuels, but the aim should always have been a net zero carbon economy, something from which the country is very far from achieving. The neglect and carelessness of previous governments regarding the energy sec- tor is also a fact nobody can deny. However, the issue here is the context in which today’s deals were struck.

“The contract for the supply of gas by SOCAR, to another company which is also part-owned by SOCAR, is one-sided, with the Azerbaijanis making huge profits. Since not enough details are available, it is difficult to make detailed comments, but everything seems to point towards a very shady deal.

“Fixing a price for a long period is also risky: indeed we commented on this aspect of the contract a couple of years ago. The purchase and resale of fuel from Shell, and the involvement of one of the most corrupt regimes in the world, also raises multiple questions. Konrad Mizzi’s direct involvement, as well as the involvement of Brian Tonna and Nexia BT, makes the deal more suspect.

“The questions raised by the Daphne Project need to be answered. This contract was awarded in a context: secret companies and bank accounts, shady characters from Azerbaijan and a bank that is reported to be involved in laundering Azerbaijani money.”