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Nabucco and Armenian case – ANALYSIS
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12 Feb 2008 12:40 ]
Turkey revenged on France for its position on the so-called Armenian genocide and EU membership
Bucharest. Dr. Fakhri Karimli – APA. A historical event happened in the energy sector of Europe on February 5: companies of Nabucco consortium signed a document in Vienna according to which German RWE group became the sixth partner of the construction of gas pipeline. It was welcomed in Europe – Jozias van Aartsen, EU Coordinator of the Nabucco gas pipeline project stated that it is of encouraging character.
“RWE’s joining the consortium is a kind of encouragement for others. The next priority is strengthening cooperation among the ministries of the countries,” he said.
So, the consortium on €5bn-Nabucco project now consists of OMV (Austria), MOL (Hungary), Transgaz (Romania), Bulgargaz (Bulgaria), Botas (Turkey) and RWE (Germany). Every company holds a stake of 16.67 percent of Nabucco Gas Pipeline International Ltd. Europe intends to reduce its energy dependence on Russia by means of the pipeline, which will deliver gas from the Caspian region to Austria through Turkey and the Balkans. According to Martin Bartenstein, Austrian Federal Minister of Economics and Labour, Nabucco is not an alternative to other projects in the region, but complements them. The question is Russia’s South Stream pipeline. Nabucco will remain the initial priority for Bulgaria. According to Bulgaria’s Minister of Economy and Energy Petar Dimitrov, South Stream project will not compete with Nabucco. The progress of events shows that RWE’s step indeed encouraged the others. It was Gaz de France. President of France Nicolas Sarkozy raised this issue during his official visit to Bucharest on February 4. Romanian President Traian Basescu said Bucharest does not mind accepting the company as the seventh partner. Romanian Prime Minister Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu voiced similar views while meeting with French leader. Sarkozy’s historical motherland Hungary also gave support, as Gaz de France presented documents for membership. Director of MOL Gas Midstream Benjamin Lakatos made the issue clear.
“We think that both RWE and Gaz de France will add value to Nabucco, which needs strong economic and political support by European companies and governments.
Gaz de France is one of the biggest companies of energy sector. Austria also support the candidacy of France.3 members of consortium’s support have little influence on Turkey-other supporter. The fact is that, all decisions are adopted through consensus in the framework of Nabucco consortium and Turkey has opportunity to revenge .Official of Turkish Economy Ministry stated that, if there was another problem, Ankara would compromise, taking into account of experience of French group on energy field.
“Turkey does not use energy as a political tool. But France takes unacceptable position on 1915 events, as well as EU and other joint projects,” he said. From the beginning Turkey rejected the participation of GDF in Nabucco pipeline, basing on adoption of document envisaged the punishment of people those denied so-called Armenian genocide. Turkey has a chance to revenge for the blocking of Turkey’s way to EU and its position on so-called Armenian genocide.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s statement on digestion of 70-million poor country and propose of privileged partnership status instead of membership of Turkey to EU made the situation serious.
Turkish official said that, 6 companies are enough for the construction and implementation of gas pipeline.
“If Turkey represents the country which is producing natural gas, it will be ready to adopt 7th supporter,” he said. Analytics said that, Turkey passes the ball to Azerbaijan with such reports.
OMV AG chief executive Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer is on the same position.
“Consortium is open for the 7th supporter, but this is not priority now. It will be happened after the work starts in 2010,” he said. It did not take long for GDF to reply. Press secretary of company stated that they are informed about reject of their candidacy for the membership of Nabucco consortium.
“We adopted the statement on reject of our candidacy.”Gaz de France “is interested in joining other projects in various regions of Europe for security of gas supply,” he said. Though GDF wants to be a member of consortium instead of German group, it claims to be 7th supporter now. If all versions does not happen, French company will join “South stream” gas pipeline-rival of Nabucco.
Elimination of energy dependence from Russia, as well as other deeper reasons stands behind of all these gas wars in Europe. Hunger of energy of Bulgaria and Hungary which maneuvered between “Nabucco” and “South stream” and have difficulties to choose hatred or love for Russia is understandable. There are other arguments in the choice of France.
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