Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, May 22 / Trend H. Hasnaov /
A project of supplying Turkmen gas to Europe is quite real. The systematic work on its implementation is required, Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov said at a briefing in Ashgabat, Russian media reported.
He added that Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and the European Union conduct the substantive operations in a trilateral format to prepare a document on main principles for gas supply from the Caspian region to Europe.
"The reliability of supplies to Europe depends on our partnership scheme," he said.
The briefing focused on the UN adoption of the resolution on reliable and stable transit of energy resources initiated by Turkmenistan.
There are no direct arrangements yet for the implementation of the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline project aimed at the European market. Potentially, the project could become a part of several large-scale projects such as Nabucco, AGRI, Tanap.
In September 2011, the European Union provided a mandate to start negotiations on the preparation of an agreement between the EU, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan on the Trans-Caspian project. Negotiations are continuing.
Official Ashgabat believes that agreement of the parties (Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan), territories of which are covered by the project, is sufficient for laying the pipe under the Caspian Sea, the legal status of which has not yet been determined. Baku has expressed readiness to provide its territory, transit opportunities and infrastructure for its implementation, as reported by the representatives of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR).
Turkmenistan is one of the key players in the energy market in the Caspian region and Central Asia. In accordance with the Program for oil and gas development, it is planned to increase annual natural gas production to 250 billion cubic meters by 2030, mostly for export purposes.