Trilateral summit on Trans-Caspian gas pipeline project due in Ashgabat
By Nigar Abbasova
Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Turkey will discuss the prospects of the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline construction during the summit of heads of the states, which is expected to be held by late 2016, Trend reported.
The sides will consider possibilities of deliverance of Turkmen gas to Europe on a regular basis, mainly focusing on the realization of the project on the laying of a gas pipeline to the shores of Azerbaijan. The project, which is considered to be a subsea pipeline, envisages deliverance of gas through the Caspian Sea to Turkey and further to European countries.
Despite the fact that the legal status of the Caspian Sea still remains indeterminate, the Turkmen side believes that the consent of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan is enough for the installation of pipes through the bottom of the Caspian Sea, as the project involves the territories of the two countries.
Azerbaijan, in its turn has repeatedly voiced its readiness for the allocation of its territory, transit opportunities and infrastructure for the implementation of the project on construction of Trans Caspian pipeline, the length of which is expected to reach 300 km.
Earlier, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that the pipeline project is receiving much international support.
Determining the legal status of the Caspian Sea has become one of the problematic issues among the five littoral states since demise of the Soviet Union. The legal status of the Caspian Sea which still remains unsolved prevents development and exploitation of its disputable oil and gas fields and creates obstacles to the realization of major energy projects.
The Caspian region is considered to be one of the fastest growing geopolitical and economic centers of Eurasia.
Export of energy resources to European countries is one of the issues of top priority for the Turkmen state. The country possesses the world’s fourth largest reserves that amount to 13.7 tcm and considers the European market as one of the most promising.
The most recent multilateral talks on the Trans-Caspian project were held in Ashgabat in May 2015. The top managers of the fuel-energy sector of the interested sides attended the talks.
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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova
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