Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Oct.12
By Huseyn Hasanov- Trend:
The possibility of delivering Turkmen energy resources to Europe is under discussion and the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline is a promising project in this regard, Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammadov said during the last government meeting.
Moreover, a seminar, which highlighted the legal and tax issues related to the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline and export opportunities in this direction was held as part of the forum titled "Oil and gas of Turkmenistan - investment opportunities" recently held in London, UK, with participation of 78 companies.
The transnational main pipelines should be regarded as a real contribution to creating international energy cooperation and as an effective stabilizing factor able to have a positive impact on the process of strengthening the socio-political stabilization, said Berdimuhammadov.
Turkmenistan, which ranks fourth for the volume of gas reserve, studies the opportunities for entering the European market. For this purpose, it promotes the project for laying Trans-Caspian gas pipeline to the coast of Azerbaijan wherefrom the Turkmen gas can be delivered to Turkey and further to Europe.
The Trans-Caspian gas pipeline could become a part of several large-scale projects, including AGRI and TANAP.
In recent years, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia and the European Union have intensified the talks on implementing the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline project.
In addition, the EU wants to reduce its dependence on Russian supplies. The Southern Gas Corridor, which includes the Trans-Caspian project, is becoming a notable priority for Brussels. The EU hopes to receive Turkmen gas in 2019. In turn, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey expect to receive their dividends for transit in the medium term.
It is necessary to lay a 300-km pipeline under the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijani coasts for delivering Turkmen resources to Europe.
Ashgabat believes that the consent of the countries the territories of which are covered by the project (Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan), is sufficient for laying the pipe under the Caspian Sea.
Azerbaijan, for its part has expressed readiness to offer its territory, transit opportunities and infrastructure for implementing this project.