Caspian gas pipeline construction postponed

The recent visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to Turkmenistan could by no means be called a remarkable one. Even though Medvedev and his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov came to no remarkable agreements, they decided how to deal with the so-called gas problem in bilateral relations.

The problem is that Russia is no longer able to buy the same amount of gas as before. Low prices for gas and decreasing demand for this kind of fuel in Europe makes it unprofitable. For the same reason, Russia is not going to continue the construction of the Caspian gas pipeline in the near future.

At the same time, President Medvedev said that alternative pipelines, such as the Trans-Afghan pipeline, seem promising. The Trans-Afghan pipeline will connect the region with the Indian gas market and opens up great possibilities. In any case, the gas problem will probably be discussed during the summit of the Caspian states in Baku.

Evgeny Krishtalev. Exclusively to VK.