Baku. Anakhanum Hidayatova – APA. “The project of the Southern Corridor is of special importance for Europe's energy security. In view of dependence of Central and Eastern Europe on Russia’s gas, the diversification of energy supply is necessary. Azerbaijan is the best option to deliver gas to the European markets,” Alexandros Petersen, advisor to the European Energy Security Initiative (EESI) at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars told APA. He said that the Southern Corridor project is important not only for the European countries, but also for the Transatlantic community: “Implementation of the project will be the beginning of the policy to end dependence from Russia and obtaining of new partners like Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is not a direct rival of Russia in the European market, but it is turning into a positive alternative for the European consumers.”
Touching upon the risk of regional conflicts in the further implementation of the project, Petersen noted that in view of the unsolved Nagorno Karabakh conflict, there is such a threat: “It shows that the U.S. and Europe should pay more attention to the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Armenia could have played a positive role in the implementation of the project, but as long as the conflict remains unresolved, Russia will have a major impact on Armenia and the country will always be isolated from such projects.”
Founder of Global Change Associates Peter C. Fusaro said that natural gas has been an urgent problem for Europe and Ukraine for many years: “Southern Corridor project is extremely interesting for the European consumers. Azerbaijan and Russia won’t become rivals with this project. European gas demand is very high and the market is enough for everybody.”
A member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Faik Tunay said that there are serious risks in the region and the energy issue is the main way to solve these problems: “If we begin to work for common purposes, political problems will be reduced. In fact, there is a political risk in any project, but it is important how the parties solve it. Politicians should struggle for the success of this project. Southern Corridor has a strategic importance. Turkey plays the role of bridge between the East and West in this issue.”
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