U.S. attaches importance to Azerbaijan in supplying energy resources to Europe: Department of State official

Commenting of the recent Ankara document, he said "the document signed in Ankara this week will raise the confidence between the Nabuco potential partners, including Azerbaijan".

Morningstar does not think that the contract between Azerbaijan and Russia on gas supplies signed previously can be an obstacle for the implementation of the Nabuco project.

Special Envy said there is a new period starting in the region and a healthy competition is one of its main distinctive features.

Morningstar added that Washington is looking forward to the negotiations between Turkey and Azerbaijan on gas issues, particularly on how much gas is Turkey able to buy from Azerbaijan.

Special envoy Morningstar was representing the U.S. together with Senator Lugar at the ceremony of signing of a Nabuco deal in Ankara earlier this week.

Nabucco project worth ?7.9 billion envisages gas supply from the Caspian region to EU countries. Participants of the project include Austrian OMV, Hungarian MOL, Bulgarian Bulgargaz, Romanian Transgaz, Turksih Botas and German RWE. Each of participants has equal share of 16.67 percent.

Construction of gas pipeline is scheduled for 2011. The first supplies will be launched in 2014. Maximal capacity of pipeline will be 31 billion cubic meters of per year.

The investment decision on the project is expected to be adopted in the first quarter of 2010.

/Trend Capital/