Kazakhstan, Astana, Feb. 3 / Trend K. Konyrova /
Trend interviewed Hungarian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Janos Balla.
Trend : In the first week of January, Hungarian Ambassador Mihaly Bayer, who is the national Nabucco project coordinator, visited Kazakhstan. Could you speak about the purpose of the visit and the current status of the project?
Balla: I'll start with the fact that in November, Kazakhstan's position towards the Nabucco project changed.
Q: Is this change positive or negative?
A: Positive. It occurred during the EU-Kazakhstan committee's meeting held in Astana in November. Kazakhstan voiced the word "correction" and we, I mean the European side, have used it ever since. When we heard that expression we realized that there is a change in Kazakhstan's policy towards Nabucco.
Therefore, we decided it was time for Bayer to come to Astana. He oversees the project on an EU-level and for Turkey as well.
We believe that before November 2009 Kazakhstan's position in respect of this project was neutral. Yes, the country has been considering the project, and the answer to whether there is any interest was neutral. But late last year we saw that Kazakhstan has already begun to show interest in this project.
Q: What do you think the reasons for these adjustments are?
The EU has drafted a Southern Corridor, and Nabucco is part of it. This extends opportunities for consumers and for possible gas suppliers.
Second, the project is already at a level of development that is suitable to its practical implementation stage. I think that probably, its construction will start in two years. There is a political decision, the counties established national companies, which should focus on its implementation and the EBRD allocated funds for the project.
Third, with the beginning of development of the Kazakh Kashagan deposit large volumes of associated gas are expected, which means there will be large surpluses.
Fourth, Kazakhstan's position is to diversify the routes for the delivery of hydrocarbons to the world markets and Nabucco meets these goals as well.
Q: To export its gas to Nabucco, Kazakhstan should still deliver it across the Caspian Sea, whose status is yet to be determined?
A: Through the Caspian Sea? The Trans-Caspian project is not technically difficult to implement. Regarding the status of the sea, we understand that the Caspian states should come to an agreement. I think that both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan can implement the Trans-Caspian project.
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