Nabucco gas pipeline is impossible without Iran: Iranian ambassador to Azerbaijan

"Without Iran's participation, the Nabucco project cannot be realized," Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Muhammadbaghir Bahrami said at a news conference on Sept. 15.

However, he said, Iran's participation in the Nabucco pipeline project was obstructed "by the states, not related to the region."

The Nabucco project worth 7.9 billion euro will deliver Azerbaijani and Central Asian gas to the EU. Construction of the pipeline is expected to begin in 2011 and the first supplies - in 2014. Its maximum capacity will be 31 billion cubic meters per year.

Nabucco shareholders are the Austrian OMV, Hungarian MOL, Bulgarian Bulgargaz, Romanian Transgaz, Turkish Botas and German RWE with 16.67 percent each.

The Nabucco Gas Pipeline International will invest 30 percent of the project The remaining 70 percent will be provided by international institutions.

/Trend News/