The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan recently published a detailed statement on its website about its commitment to building a gas pipeline from Turkmenistan through Azerbaijan to Europe on the floor of the Caspian Sea.
The pipeline would diversify energy supplies, circumventing potentially unreliable sources of energy like Russia and Iran. This project has garnered attention over the years because it would link Turkmenistan’s ample natural gas to major gas markets in Turkey and Europe.
“Turkmenistan is convinced that there are no political, economic or financial factors preventing the construction of the gas pipeline,” the statement read. “On the contrary, the Trans-Caspian pipeline is an absolutely realistic project. It is capable of making a tangible contribution to ensuring energy security in Eurasia, guaranteeing long-term and uninterrupted access to sources of raw materials for European consumers.”
The statement emerged after Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed reservations about the project’s ability to get enough financing. Turkmenistan expressed its readiness to continue cooperation with European partners on the implementation of the Trans-Caspian pipeline.
If the pipeline is built, Turkmenistan might capture a share of Russia’s gas market in Europe or replace Russian gas deliveries to Turkey. Russia has supplied about 40 percent of Turkey’s gas needs.
The U.S. appeared to welcome Turkmenistan’s commitment to building the Trans-Caspian pipeline.
“The fact that Turkmenistan recognized that the Caspian Sea delimitation agreement allows for the construction of pipelines between the two countries is an important step forward,” stressed former U.S. Ambassador to Turkmenistan Allan Mustard, calling Ashgabat’s decision a “momentous event.”
Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, TRT Russian, Eurasianet