EU confident of viability of Trans–Caspian pipeline
By M. Alkhazashvili
(Translated by Diana Dundua)
(Translated by Diana Dundua)
Friday, December 7
The Trans–Caspian pipeline will be an economically profitable venture, EU officials said after discussing the initial findings of a feasibility study with representatives of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Turkmenistan in Brussels on November 30.
The project aims to link Europe with Central Asia via a pipeline under the Caspian Sea, skirting Russia. EU energy spokesperson Ferran Tarradellas said the 700-page preliminary report was encouraging. “The general opinion of experts and investors is that a gas corridor through the Caspian Sea is positive,” he commented.
The Trans–Caspian pipeline was designated a “priority project” by the EU at a March summit, but has courted controversy within the Union. The UK and Sweden are pressing for diplomatic sanctions on Uzbekistan—citing concern over human rights abuse—whereas Germany and Spain maintain human rights issues should be sidelined for now, according to the EU Observer publication.
In May, European Commission energy adviser Fawzi Bansarsa described the project as a “political bomb” for EU–Russia relations, advising against its implementation at a conference in Warsaw.
The project aims to link Europe with Central Asia via a pipeline under the Caspian Sea, skirting Russia. EU energy spokesperson Ferran Tarradellas said the 700-page preliminary report was encouraging. “The general opinion of experts and investors is that a gas corridor through the Caspian Sea is positive,” he commented.
The Trans–Caspian pipeline was designated a “priority project” by the EU at a March summit, but has courted controversy within the Union. The UK and Sweden are pressing for diplomatic sanctions on Uzbekistan—citing concern over human rights abuse—whereas Germany and Spain maintain human rights issues should be sidelined for now, according to the EU Observer publication.
In May, European Commission energy adviser Fawzi Bansarsa described the project as a “political bomb” for EU–Russia relations, advising against its implementation at a conference in Warsaw.