EU following Azeri-Russian agreements
The European Union is closely following the gas
supply agreements being reached by Azerbaijan and Russia, but the
information the bloc is receiving is "fragmented", says the
spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.
"We would like more transparency in this respect and for a complete picture to be drawn about the state of things," Cristina Gallach said.
At the same time, she said there were certain aspects of the issue that necessitated keeping on the agenda the project on the Western-backed Nabucco pipeline that will pump Caspian gas to Europe, bypassing Russia.
"I am primarily talking about the lack of success in Russia-Turkmenistan gas talks," Gallach said, adding that the EU remained committed to the implementation of the Nabucco project and was ready to do its utmost to realize it.
Russia is seeking to buy gas from Azerbaijan. President Dmitry Medvedev has recently said the two countries could sign such an agreement soon. Analysts say Azerbaijan`s exporting gas to Russia could adversely affect the implementation of the EU-backed project on building the Nabucco pipeline. By developing this project, the EU is trying to reduce its dependence on Russian gas deliveries.
Nabucco spokesman Christian Dolezal has told the local Lider TV channel that the West was placing great hopes on the construction of the Nabucco pipeline. According to Dolezal, Europe will face annual shortages of 150-200 billion cubic meters of gas over the next 10 years. Importing countries are seeking new sources of fuel to prevent this from happening, and the interest in Nabucco is therefore increasing.
"The summit held in Bulgaria between the buyers and sellers of gas on April 24-25, along with economic issues, solved political problems. The decisions adopted and discussions held there served as a signal for everyone. This project has to be realized."
Dolezal said Russia would not be able to impede the building of the Nabucco project.
"Despite opposition from Moscow, the pipeline will be built. The number of countries interested in the conduit is on the increase, and talks to that end are underway," the Nabucco spokesman added.
"We would like more transparency in this respect and for a complete picture to be drawn about the state of things," Cristina Gallach said.
At the same time, she said there were certain aspects of the issue that necessitated keeping on the agenda the project on the Western-backed Nabucco pipeline that will pump Caspian gas to Europe, bypassing Russia.
"I am primarily talking about the lack of success in Russia-Turkmenistan gas talks," Gallach said, adding that the EU remained committed to the implementation of the Nabucco project and was ready to do its utmost to realize it.
Russia is seeking to buy gas from Azerbaijan. President Dmitry Medvedev has recently said the two countries could sign such an agreement soon. Analysts say Azerbaijan`s exporting gas to Russia could adversely affect the implementation of the EU-backed project on building the Nabucco pipeline. By developing this project, the EU is trying to reduce its dependence on Russian gas deliveries.
Nabucco spokesman Christian Dolezal has told the local Lider TV channel that the West was placing great hopes on the construction of the Nabucco pipeline. According to Dolezal, Europe will face annual shortages of 150-200 billion cubic meters of gas over the next 10 years. Importing countries are seeking new sources of fuel to prevent this from happening, and the interest in Nabucco is therefore increasing.
"The summit held in Bulgaria between the buyers and sellers of gas on April 24-25, along with economic issues, solved political problems. The decisions adopted and discussions held there served as a signal for everyone. This project has to be realized."
Dolezal said Russia would not be able to impede the building of the Nabucco project.
"Despite opposition from Moscow, the pipeline will be built. The number of countries interested in the conduit is on the increase, and talks to that end are underway," the Nabucco spokesman added.
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