Azerbaijan , Baku, May 17 / Trend /
Trend commentator Aygun Badalova
Turkmenistan , which has substantial reserves of gas, has always presented itself as a supporter of the diversification policy. The most attractive direction for its gas exports remains the European one.
Among the various ways to deliver Turkmen gas to the European markets today the most realistic one is its transportation through the territory of Azerbaijan.
Turkmen gas transportation through the territory of Azerbaijan will be beneficial for both sides. Azerbaijan along with the status of gas supplier will also get the role of the transit country, while Turkmenistan will get an access to the European markets.
After the meeting with the European Commission chairman at the beginning of this year the President of Turkmenistan said that the most attractive way to transport Turkmen gas to Europe is the construction of so called Trans-Caspian pipeline. The Trans-Caspian gas pipeline is regarded an integral part of Nabucco pipeline which is designed to transport gas from the Caspian and Middle East regions to the EU countries.
The Turkmen president's statement can be considered as the first signal for possible progress in realization of Trans-Caspian project, which was suspended for many years due to unresolved status of the Caspian Sea.
The next signal from the Turkmen side was the last week's statement about the need for signing agreements between EU, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan on the cooperation in gas sphere.
All these demonstrate the great interest and the willingness of Turkmenistan to realize the essential route - the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline and give us the reason to expect the positive steps and probable fruitful results in the construction of the pipeline via the Caspian Sea.