Deputy FM: "Buying gas directly from Turkmenistan rather than via Russia will strengthen EU's energy security"

Buying gas directly from Turkmenistan rather than via Russia will strengthen energy security of EU, Reuters reported referring to Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Araz Azimov.

"The European nations are invited to make a pact and to enter into cooperation with Turkmenia. As a result, I think, it will be possible to speak of the emergence of a new group of interests," Azimov told reporters after meeting Europe's officials.

The direct purchase of gas, Azimov specified, will be advantageous not only to Turkmenistan but also to Europe, as it will get an additional source of energy. According to this Azeri diplomat, Europe can get Turkmen gas via the Trans-Caspian pipeline which launch is slated for 2008. This pipeline will run via Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. Kommersant