TURKEY REVENGED ON FRANCE FOR ITS POSITION ON THE SO-CALLED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AND EU MEMBERSHIP
Azeri Press Agency
Feb 12 2008
Azerbaijan
Bucharest. Dr. Fakhri Karimli – APA. A historical event happened
in the energy sector of Europe on February 5: companies of Nabucco
consortium signed a document in Vienna according to which German RWE
group became the sixth partner of the construction of gas pipeline.
It was welcomed in Europe – Jozias van Aartsen, EU Coordinator of
the Nabucco gas pipeline project stated that it is of encouraging
character.
"RWE’s joining the consortium is a kind of encouragement for others.
The next priority is strengthening cooperation among the ministries
of the countries," he said.
So, the consortium on ~@5bn-Nabucco project now consists of OMV
(Austria), MOL (Hungary), Transgaz (Romania), Bulgargaz (Bulgaria),
Botas (Turkey) and RWE (Germany). Every company holds a stake of 16.67
percent of Nabucco Gas Pipeline International Ltd. Europe intends to
reduce its energy dependence on Russia by means of the pipeline, which
will deliver gas from the Caspian region to Austria through Turkey
and the Balkans. According to Martin Bartenstein, Austrian Federal
Minister of Economics and Labour, Nabucco is not an alternative to
other projects in the region, but complements them.
The question is Russia’s South Stream pipeline. Nabucco will remain
the initial priority for Bulgaria. According to Bulgaria’s Minister
of Economy and Energy Petar Dimitrov, South Stream project will not
compete with Nabucco. The progress of events shows that RWE’s step
indeed encouraged the others. It was Gaz de France. President of
France Nicolas Sarkozy raised this issue during his official visit
to Bucharest on February 4. Romanian President Traian Basescu said
Bucharest does not mind accepting the company as the seventh partner.
Romanian Prime Minister Cãlin Popescu-Tãriceanu voiced similar views
while meeting with French leader. Sarkozy’s historical motherland
Hungary also gave support, as Gaz de France presented documents for
membership. Director of MOL Gas Midstream Benjamin Lakatos made the
issue clear.
"We think that both RWE and Gaz de France will add value to Nabucco,
which needs strong economic and political support by European companies
and governments.
Gaz de France is one of the biggest companies of energy sector.
Austria also support the candidacy of France.3 members of consortium’s
support have little influence on Turkey-other supporter.
The fact is that, all decisions are adopted through consensus in
the framework of Nabucco consortium and Turkey has opportunity to
revenge .Official of Turkish Economy Ministry stated that, if there
was another problem, Ankara would compromise, taking into account of
experience of French group on energy field.
"Turkey does not use energy as a political tool. But France takes
unacceptable position on 1915 events, as well as EU and other
joint projects," he said. From the beginning Turkey rejected the
participation of GDF in Nabucco pipeline, basing on adoption of
document envisaged the punishment of people those denied so-called
Armenian genocide. Turkey has a chance to revenge for the blocking
of Turkey’s way to EU and its position on so-called Armenian genocide.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s statement on digestion of 70-million
poor country and propose of privileged partnership status instead of
membership of Turkey to EU made the situation serious.
Turkish official said that, 6 companies are enough for the construction
and implementation of gas pipeline.
"If Turkey represents the country which is producing natural gas, it
will be ready to adopt 7th supporter," he said. Analytics said that,
Turkey passes the ball to Azerbaijan with such reports.
OMV AG chief executive Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer is on the same position.
"Consortium is open for the 7th supporter, but this is not priority
now. It will be happened after the work starts in 2010," he said. It
did not take long for GDF to reply. Press secretary of company
stated that they are informed about reject of their candidacy for
the membership of Nabucco consortium.
"We adopted the statement on reject of our candidacy."Gaz de France
"is interested in joining other projects in various regions of Europe
for security of gas supply," he said. Though GDF wants to be a member
of consortium instead of German group, it claims to be 7th supporter
now. If all versions does not happen, French company will join "South
stream" gas pipeline-rival of Nabucco.
Elimination of energy dependence from Russia, as well as other deeper
reasons stands behind of all these gas wars in Europe. Hunger of energy
of Bulgaria and Hungary which maneuvered between "Nabucco" and "South
stream" and have difficulties to choose hatred or love for Russia is
understandable. There are other arguments in the choice of France.
–Boundary_(ID_LH1w9NN7REvHdcZoHSDZRQ)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress