Richard Morningstar: Azerbaijan,Turkmenistan to decide Trans-Caspian gas pipeline's fate

"In any case, the pipeline will pass through the territorial waters of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, so only these states should decide the fate of the project," U.S. Secretary of State Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy, Ambassador Richard Morningstar said in an interview with the Kommersant newspaper this week.

He added that the United States has supported the project for many years. However, today, the Caspian Sea's unresolved status has created obstacles for beginning construction.

"Today, the issue of whether the two neighboring countries - Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan -- will agree on laying the pipeline without others interfering is subject to debate," he said.

"Some believe that all five littoral states must make the decision," Morningstar said. "Turkmenistan is a sovereign state and should decide what to do."

The Trans-Caspian gas pipeline will have a length of about 300 kilometers and be laid on the Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea. The pipeline will connect to Azerbaijan where it will link to the South Corridor, which includes the Nabucco pipeline project, which is a priority for the EU.


/Trend/