EU set to act on Caspian pipeline plan

Article reported that European Union governments were attempting to revive a stalled effort to beat Russia’s effort to bring central Asia’s vast natural gas reserves to Europe.

The General Council of the European Union adopted a decision authorising the European Commission to negotiate an agreement with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan on a legal framework for a Trans-Caspian (natural gas) Pipeline System on the 12 September 2011.

The establishment of such a legal framework is part of the response to a call by the European Council on 4 February 2011 for the development of strategic corridors for the
transport of large volumes of gas to the European market.

ESO: Background information: Europe's southern gas corridor: The great pipeline race http://www.europeansources.info/record/europes-southern-gas-corridor-the-great-pipeline-race/

ESO: Background information: Pipeline gives Moscow the edge in gas supply balance of power http://www.europeansources.info/record/pipeline-gives-moscow-the-edge-in-gas-supply-balance-of-power/

EurActiv, 12.9.11: EU to negotiate trans-Caspian pipeline http://www.euractiv.com/energy/eu-negotiate-tran-caucasian-pipeline-news-507558

Council of the European Union: Press Release: PRES/11/307: The Council gives go-ahead for negotiations on Trans-Caspian Pipeline System http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/trans/124572.pdf

European Commission: RAPID: IP/11/11/1023: EU starts negotiations on Caspian pipeline to bring gas to Europe http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/1023&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: DG Energy: External dimension: Security of supply and international cooperation http://ec.europa.eu/energy/international/security_of_supply/cooperation_en.htm

EUObserver, 14.9.11: Russia frets over EU plans to link up Caspian gas fields http://euobserver.com/19/113608

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