Brussels, 12/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 12 September, the Council of the EU adopted without debate a decision authorising the European Commission to negotiate an agreement between Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and the European Union regarding the legal framework for a trans-Caspian gas pipeline system for natural gas.
The trans-Caspian gas pipeline is a major element of the South Corridor which will bring natural gas to Europe. “We have the intention of achieving this as soon as possible”, commented Günther Oettinger, the European commissioner for energy. More specifically, once it is adopted, the agreement will set in place the foundation for the construction of an undersea gas pipeline linking Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, which will be connected to the infrastructure that will bring gas from Central Asia to the EU. The agreement between Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and the EU will focus on the commitments of the parties, the bilateral provisions required for Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan to be able to complete the gas pipeline, the legal framework which will apply to the supply of the gas pipeline with gas from Turkmenistan and various commercial provisions. (O.L./transl.fl)