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EU considers significant opportunity of expansion of export chosen for natural gas transportation from the Caspian region

06 March 2012 15:32 (UTC +04:00)

For the EU, it is crucial that the infrastructure option chosen now for the transportation of the Shah Deniz II gas be â€œscalableâ€. The â€œscalabilityâ€ must be guaranteed to ascertain that the infrastructure chosen can easily be upgraded technically and legally so that it can automatically accommodate new volumes as new gas becomes available. It is important that the decision taken now leave the door open not only for the future Azerbaijani gas but also for Turkmen gas, and possible gas from other sources in the region.

The European Commission continues the negotiations with Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan on a framework for a Trans-Caspian Pipeline system, in line with the mandate unanimously received from the 27 Member State of the European Union. THE EU wishes to see swift decisions in the pipeline selection process, thereby enabling the concrete materialization of the Southern Gas Corridor. Therefore, clarity on the dedicated physical infrastructure link throughout the territory of Turkey is urgently needed. A secure, stable and transparent legal framework is vital for the realisation of any infrastructure project that would connect the Caspian Sea basin to the EU. We are observing with great interest the latest developments around the new pipeline proposals. However, the work needed to translate these ideas and concepts into mature projects should not delay nor undermine the SD II delivery schedule.