Azerbaijan, Baku, May 1 / Trend , A.Badalova/
In a week, Prague will host an informal summit on "Nabucco" and "Southern Corridor" gas pipeline initiated by the Czech Republic chairing at the European Union (EU). Invitations have been sent to heads of states and governments of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Georgia and Turkey to participate in the forum. Representatives of Russia, Iraq, Egypt and Uzbekistan have been invited as observers.
It is planned to sign a multilateral intergovernmental agreement on the "Southern Corridor" and "Nabucco" projects, which is its component part at the end of the summit.
Earlier Hungarian Special Envoy in the "Nabucco" project Mihaly Bayer said a final text of an intergovernmental agreement will be developed in Prague. However, a source close to the meeting said it is not planned to sign any documents in the summit.
The Nabucco gas pipeline supported by the EU and US envisages transporting the Caspian gas to the European countries. Construction of the pipeline is scheduled for 2011 and first deliveries - 2014. Nabucco shareholders are the Austrian OMV, Hungarian MOL, Bulgarian Bulgargaz, Romanian Transgaz, Turkish Botas and German RWE with 16.7 percent each.
The EU and Turkey plans to sign an intergovernmental agreement on gas supplies to European countries under the "Nabucco" project in June 2009. OMV company representative at international projects, including Nabucco Christian Dolezal said signing of an agreement with Turkey at the present stage of the project is a major issue. After its signing and the beginning of the so-called "open season" stages, it is planned to launch discussions with the supplier-countries on volumes of gas delivered by pipeline.
Turkey has a key role in Nabucco gas pipeline. So far, negotiations with potential gas suppliers to Europe have hampered because of Ankara's position, which besides transitor, wanted to play the role of an independent seller of the gas passing through its territory. Thus, to achieve success in an agreement with Turkey can be really positive influence on the further implementation of the project.
However, despite the full optimism, it is too early for both the European representatives and project participants, to speak about the fate of "Nabucco". To sign an intergovernmental agreement can be viewed as a success in promoting, but it will be just a drop in the ocean of uncertainties surrounding such a politicized project.
Recently, holding several meetings on perspectives of the "Nabucco" project testifies a persistent intention and desire to realize it. The Prague Summit is approached as the meeting, which will serve beginning to shift from statements stage to implementation stage. The results of the summit is, indeed, may give some impetus to the already action. However, the success of the project will depend on the participant-countries' further efforts which will have to do much besides signing an intergovernmental agreement.
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