Turkmenistan’s foreign ministry confirmed Monday that there are no political, economic, or financial obstacles hindering the construction of the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline along the bottom of the Caspian Sea to transport Turkmen gas to European markets.
Monday’s statement came in response to reports on the possibility of implementing such a large-scale project for the supply of Turkmen natural gas to western markets.
The ministry said that the construction of a Trans-Caspian pipeline has garnered a 'sudden' manifestation of interest from many stakeholders. It added that such a project would be considered both economically and commercially viable while also being an essential part of the country’s energy flow diversification.
The project approved by all potential participants is a 'key condition for global energy security and sustainability based on equal consideration of the interests and benefits of producers, consumers and transit countries,' the Turkmenistan foreign ministry said.
The legalities of such a project were first initiated during the official visit of the President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, to Brussels in November 2007.
The following year, the UN General Assembly adopted the first resolution 'Reliable and Stable Transit of Energy Carriers and Their Role in Ensuring Sustainable Development and International Cooperation', which was cosponsored by 71 states.
The ministry also confirmed that the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the Turkmen draft of a similar resolution in 2013.
-Legal basis cemented with formation of Caspian Development Corporation
To realize this project, a tripartite partnership was formed between Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and the European Union.
Furthermore, with the EU’s significant efforts, a Caspian Development Corporation was founded to systemic cooperation on the withdrawal of Caspian energy resources in a western direction.
'Relying on such a solid international legal base, Turkmenistan has made efforts to create the necessary political, financial, and organizational conditions that would make it possible to translate the idea of building a Trans-Caspian pipeline into a practical plan, the ministry said.
'It is natural that the European Union included the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline in the list of promising projects,' it added.
By Sibel Morrow
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr