EU wants more investors involved in Trans-Caspian pipeline

Involvement of the EU in realization of the Trans-Caspian pipeline construction may give investors an additional sense of security, head of the section for European Neighbourhood Policy of the General Directorate of the European Commission, John O’Rourke, said.

The European Union issued a mandate for talks on construction of the Trans-Caspian pipeline with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan in September. Tehran and Moscow say that the project harms the Caspian environment.

O’Rourke commented on their position and noted that Europe wants diversification of energy supplies. Monopoly states would not want that to happen, he says. Russia’s position is especially strong due to its economic influence and military presence in the states of the Eastern Partnership.

The Trans-Caspian pipeline will have a length of 300 km and will run from the Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea to the Azerbaijani, where it will be connected with the Southern Gas Corridor. Turkmen negotiations with the EU to construct the pipeline have been ongoing since the late 90s.

Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and the EU will discuss agreements and state their obligations, bilateral deals needed for construction and maintenance of the facility. They will also talk about the possibility of Turkmenistan filling the pipeline with gas.