THE EU ENERGY SECURITY IS IN DIVERSIFICATION OF NEW ENERGY SOURCES -
Marius-Eugen Opran, Member, European Economic and Social Committee
«The EU is supporting the idea of the second route and trying to push forward to start N. and another project like the one between Georgia and Ukraine (GUEU). We are also thinking of another possible pipeline as a back-up to Nabucco between Turkey (Zonguldak) to Constanta. If we have more possibilities to move the energy from Caspian region to Europe it will be better as we will have a competition and the price will be normalized», said Marius-Eugen Opran, Member, European Economic and Social Committee, in his exclusive interview with Caspian Energy.
Caspian Energy (CE): Mr. Opran, how would you evaluate the prospects of cooperation between the EU and GUAM countries?
Marius-Eugen Opran, Member, European Economic and Social Committee: The European Commission allotted available funds from EU in amount of €5-12 billion for the European neighborhood and partnership instruments. In the first stage they decided to do the financial programming for the period of 2007-2010. For this period there are €5.6 billion available, 73% of this money will go to support implementation by their partners of their neighborhood policy plan.
Between EU and each country from eastern European partners there is an individual action plan, like with Azerbaijan, another one for Georgia, for Ukraine and there is allocation for each country. For Azerbaijan it is €92 million, Georgia €120 million, Moldova €209 million and for Ukraine €494 million.
And if we are moving forward, you can see that we have certain priorities: on each action plan there are priorities which were agreed between European commission and Azeri government. And similar plan we have for Moldova, Georgia, and there will be a joint committee between EU and each of these countries which will decide how to proceed further with steps of implementation. It is a very serious program and also we hope you to support us in the process of integration of your country and all countries in some EU programs and finally having you as the members of the EU.
CE: Have these funds been allotted for energy projects alone?
Marius-Eugen Opran: This kind of program deals more or less with the strengthening of the institutional capacity, but also based on this energy you can do the feasibility study of new big pipeline, you can do a project to produce biodiesel, the fuel for the cars without emission of CO2, but this is under discussion with each country and is done by specialized General Director of the European Commission.
CE: How is the situation with the negotiations on implementation of these plans by the EU?
Marius-Eugen Opran: The necessary documents have already been signed. I can tell you that regarding Azerbaijan, the results have been approved by CE on 26 October 2006, Communication 637 of the CE.
CE: How would you assess the possibility of Azerbaijan's joining Nabucco Project?
Marius-Eugen Opran: We hope Nabucco project will be implemented. I myself was very glad when your president declared few days ago that initial estimations of Shah Deniz capacity were wrong in twice, which means Azerbaijan will become one of the largest gas suppliers in both the region and the world.
CE: Does the EU support Azerbaijan regarding gas transit via Turkey?
Marius-Eugen Opran: We support all alternative routes. At the moment there is only one route. The EU is supporting the idea of the second route and trying to push forward to start N. and another project like the one between Georgia and Ukraine and further to the EU (GUEU). We are also thinking of another possible pipeline as a back-up to Nabucco between Turkey (Zonguldak) to Constanta. If we have more possibilities to move the energy from Caspian region to Europe it will be better as we will have competition and the price will be normalized
CE: How realistic is delivery of energy carriers from Turkmenistan within corridor via Azerbaijan to the EU countries?
Marius-Eugen Opran: At the moment we are observing the situation and we hope Turkmenistan will join the big pull of countries trying to build the energy corridors to EU.
CE: In the future, how will the EU build its energy security policy?
Marius-Eugen Opran: The future of the energy security is to diversify the source, to promote new types of energy. We try to promote open supply, like visit of the President of Poland and talks on the extension of the oil pipeline from Brodi to Plotsk is a good idea. We should use Turkey as a stability factor, and we should use Poland, Ukraine and Moldova as transit countries.
CE: How does the EU suggests to support the energy projects across the Caspian?
Marius-Eugen Opran: EU suggests multinational companies that are ready to participate in these plans and finance, like EIB. The problem is not in money, but how to find the proper quantity of gas. You cannot invest €5 billion and transfer small quantities, there shall be efficiency from the source.
Thank you for the interview.