Interview by Vladimir Nesterov. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
In early December Vladimir Putin stated that Russia couldn’t implementation of the project of South Stream, due to the non-constructive position of the EU, including Bulgaria’s. However, last week the Bulgarian Minister of Energy stated that the gas pipeline is important for Sofia, it should meet the EU laws, and Sofia wants to continue consultations with Moscow on the issue. Serbia wants to continue the dialogue on construction of South Stream as well. Hungary is also in a difficult situation.
The deputy head of the Federation Council committee on international affairs, senator Vladimir Dzhabarov told Vestnik Kavkaza about South Stream and its alternative.
- Hungary already said that after the closing of South Stream it is counting on Azerbaijani gas, on Caspian gas that will come through the Trans-Adriatic pipeline. The Southern Gas Corridor was also mentioned at the meeting of the European Commission. Gazprom probably also considers Azerbaijani gas when it talks about the construction of a hub at the Turkish-Greek border. What do you think, can we call Azerbaijan a strategic partner of Russia in supplying gas to Europe?
- We can, but we need to keep in mind that the gas reserves in Azerbaijan are not so big. As I said, even if all Azerbaijani gas goes to Europe, it will cover only 10% of its needs. So the problem is not resolved. They can’t count on Turkmen gas. Because Turkmenistan supplies gas to Russia, they are interested in it. And they are also building a pipeline to China. They can count on gas from Kazakhstan, but it also goes through Russia. They need to agree with Russia, because there is a problem with pipelines through the Caspian Sea. So they want to build a system through Greece, Bulgaria, Slovakia and even the Baltic states, through which gas can move freely in every direction. But these are only plans. While in reality only we have gas. Even to become a gas hub, Turkey still needs to build the infrastructure. This needs a lot of money and investment. I think there are many problems. Can the decision on South Stream be revised? I don’t know. Our leaders and Gazprom say that the topic is closed. But in politics anything can happen. Europe cheerfully says that they will solve this question. Please do, but just don’t blame Russia if you can’t. We did everything we could. Many doubted the value of North Stream, Poland and the Baltic States were not happy. But now Germany freely receives gas and does not worry. Germany has no problems, the pipe is full with gas. And it is Southern Europe that suffers.
- Let’s talk about the European economic sanctions. Several months have passed. We can speak about their preliminary results. The question is – does it have the aim of putting pressure on Russia?
- You know, I will not speak about how great our country is. I don’t remember a case when sanctions radically changed the policy in any state. The US introduced sanctions against North Korea because of the nuclear weapons program, but they could not change the policy of that state. The sanctions against Iran were tougher, but they could hold on. Yes, the leader changed, it was more oriented towards cooperation with the West, but it did not change much. As for Russia, we are used to them. We just forgot that before World War Two we were always under sanctions. We did not have equipment or other supplies from the West. But we still had authority, because we beat fascism and Hitler’s Germany. Then there were sanctions in the 1960s, when Germany refused to supply pipes of big diameter. And what? Soon we started producing these pipes in Russia. It stimulated our development. It is useless to force Russia to change its policy through sanctions. Any country that respects itself will never change its policy, because the leader that changes the policy will lose authority. But our president has an iron character and a friendly attitude to our partners. We don’t take revenge, but if you don’t want to trade with us, it is your choice. We can find other partners. In that sense, the visit of Vladimir Putin to India shows that other countries like us. The prime minister of India officially said that India considers Russia to be its strategic partner and big friend. We remember our friendship in the Soviet times. Our trade turnover has decreased in the last years, but it will be compensated for now. We are planning to sign 15 agreements. India is a strong developing country. It has a powerful economy, it is a member of BRICS. India is ready to cooperate with us in Arctic drilling, in gas deposits in Eastern Siberia, we are interested in their computer technologies, which they have developed greatly. They are interested in our weapons, they are in demand. Life shows that not everything is centered in the West, the world is multi-polar. Not to mention our relations with China. They are developing so dynamically that many Western leaders don’t have time to notice it. There is the developing economy of South-East Asia, there are young aggressive economies with a huge market for energy resources. We have someone to work with. But we do not reject cooperation with the West. We have something to learn there and something to work on, but only on the principle of reciprocity. If they want us, we are ready to cooperate and move some serious projects.
