15/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - EU wants to speed up talks on the trans-Caspian pipeline. The Commission cannot conceal its keenness to conclude talks with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan concerning the gas pipeline project that is to connect the two former USSR republics under the Caspian Sea in order to carry Central Asian gas to the EU. Patricia Flor, the EU's representative in Central Asia, insists that talks should not be strung out excessively on the trans-Caspian gas pipeline. It is better to sign favourable long term agreements with European companies now rather than in five years' time, she said, opening the work of a conference on energy in Ashkhabad, on Thursday 15 November. Underlining the attractiveness of the European market for Turkmenistan, Flor also rejected criticism expressed by Russia, which is left out of the project, regarding the environmental risks, and gave her assurance that the EU would guarantee adherence to the strictest ecological standards. (EH/transl.jl)