Associated Press: Russia slams EU plans to broker talks between Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan on Caspian gas pipeline

“Russia lashed out Tuesday at an offer by the European Union to broker talks between energy-rich former Soviet nations Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan aimed at creating a natural gas pipeline that would carry Turkmen fuel to the West”, said The Associated Press.

“Moscow’s testy outburst over EU lobbying for construction of a trans-Caspian pipeline highlights Russian sensitivities over prospects that its grip on the supply of gas to Europe could be loosened”. “Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said that only the five countries bordering on the Caspian had the right to settle issues regarding use of the inland body of water”, the author reminded.

 “Under a mandate approved Monday, the EU will propose a union-wide treaty supporting the completion of the trans-Caspian pipeline. Gas carried through that route would then be fed into EU-backed Nabucco pipeline that bypasses Russia”.

“The planned Nabucco pipeline is slated to transport 31 billion cubic meters of natural gas from the Caspian region to Austria via southern Europe. The viability of the project has been called into question over doubts that enough suppliers can be found to fill the pipeline”, the analysis reads.

“Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan have traditionally not enjoyed smooth relations and have for many years been embroiled in a dispute over a contested section of the Caspian Sea. Ties have improved recently, however, and the EU may hope its involvement could help maintain that trend”.


/APA/