Azerbaijan talks up trans-Caspian line

摘要

Azerbaijan is ready to provide a package of measures to support the proposed trans-Caspian pipeline to Turkmenistan, but wants financial and commercial guarantees from the EU. An intergovernmental deal between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan is essential to start work on the 10bn m3/yr route, Azeri energy minister Natig Aliyev said on 24 April. Azerbaijan is prepared to provide transport infrastructure and favourable transit terms for Turkmen gas, he says. In return, Turkmenistan must guarantee flows of at least 10bn m3/yr.