Azerbaijan, Baku, July 3 / Trend , A.Badalova/
The European Union (EU) will continue to consider Turkey as a strong partner to diversify sources of energy supplies to Europe, despite this country's willingness to accept Russia's proposal on cooperation in the energy sector, including the South Stream project, Representative of the European Commission on energy Ferran Tarradellas Espuny told Trend on July 3.
This week, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davudoglu said that Turkey was ready to accept Russia's proposal to cooperate in the energy sector. The Russian Foreign Minister said if Turkey would be interested to take part in Russia's energy projects, the forms and modalities of this participation can be any on which both countries' energy operators will agree.
Espuny said there are no contradictions between the work of the EU with Turkey and Turkey with Russia.
"Russia is also a strong supporter of the EU gas market, and we continue to support Russia as a major importer of perfect full-fledged EU relations," Espuny said.
Official of international projects and Nabucco in OMV company Christian Dolezal said such proposals from Russia will not hinder implementation of the Nabucco gas pipeline project, and Turkey will continue to be regarded as a country, which will diversify the sources of energy supplies to Europe.
"Turkey is an important country for the Nabucco gas pipeline project and determined to implement it," Dolzeal wrote to Trend in an email on July 3. "Each country has freedom in examining additional projects which can be interesting."
The Nabucco project worth 7.9 billion euro will deliver Azerbaijani and Central Asian gas to the EU by 2014. Construction of the pipeline is expected to begin in 2011. Its maximum capacity will be 31 billion cubic meters per year.
The South Stream project supported by Russia will deliver the Russian gas via the Black Sea to the Central and Southern Europe bypassing Ukraine. Gazprom and Italian ENI are engaged in implementing the project in line with the 2007 agreement. The total length of the Black Sea gas pipeline will be approximately 900 kilometers and a maximum depth - more than 2,000 meters, the project capacity - 31 billion cubic meters. The marine gas pipeline is planned to be launched in 2013.
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