NABUCCO project infeasible without Azeri gas - US official
The project to build the NABUCCO pipeline to pump gas from the
Caspian region to world markets cannot be implemented without
Azerbaijani gas, a top US official has said.
Matthew Bryza, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, was commenting on recent Russian media reports claiming the resource-rich South Caucasus republic has turned down the project. "These reports are ridiculous," Bryza told Voice of America radio station.
He said Russia is trying to put an end to the Western-backed project and replace it with its own gas supplies. "Therefore, it should be implemented as soon as possible."
The State Department official said Azerbaijan`s gas is also pivotal for the Turkey-Greece pipeline.
"Azerbaijan has a strategic location, and we hope that it realizes the importance of delivering fuel to Europe. Along with Azerbaijan, Turkey will have a strategic position here."
The NABUCCO project, valued at 8 billion euros, seeks to deliver 30 billion cubic meters of gas to European markets through a 3,300-kilometer pipeline traveling through Azerbaijan and Turkey to Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Austria. The delivery of the first gas shipment is expected in 2013. So far, only Azerbaijan has agreed to transport its gas via NABUCCO.
Matthew Bryza, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, was commenting on recent Russian media reports claiming the resource-rich South Caucasus republic has turned down the project. "These reports are ridiculous," Bryza told Voice of America radio station.
He said Russia is trying to put an end to the Western-backed project and replace it with its own gas supplies. "Therefore, it should be implemented as soon as possible."
The State Department official said Azerbaijan`s gas is also pivotal for the Turkey-Greece pipeline.
"Azerbaijan has a strategic location, and we hope that it realizes the importance of delivering fuel to Europe. Along with Azerbaijan, Turkey will have a strategic position here."
The NABUCCO project, valued at 8 billion euros, seeks to deliver 30 billion cubic meters of gas to European markets through a 3,300-kilometer pipeline traveling through Azerbaijan and Turkey to Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Austria. The delivery of the first gas shipment is expected in 2013. So far, only Azerbaijan has agreed to transport its gas via NABUCCO.
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