OREANDA-NEWS. September 12, 2011. The European Union has approved a mandate of negotiations with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan on construction of the Trans-Caspian pipeline.

"Europe speaks with one voice today. Trans-Caspian gas pipeline is a key project of the Southern Corridor to deliver gas to Europe from new sources. We intend to complete it as soon as possible," said European Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger.

The Commission notes that this is the first time when it suggests the agreement on an infrastructure project. This agreement will be signed after approval by all the 27 EU member states.

The European Commission thinks that this event is a milestone in realization of the Southern Corridor project and the first concrete decision on coordination of single energy strategy, as it was defined in European Commission’s report "EU Energy Policy: Relationships with Partners Outside of our Borders", adopted on 7 September.
The Agreement on Trans-Caspian gas pipeline will be the basis for building of an underwater pipeline connecting Turkmenistan with Azerbaijan and connected to the infrastructure that delivers gas to Europe.