Azerbaijani gas will soon reach the EU

The European Union will soon receive a new source of raw materials - gas supplies from Azerbaijan. The construction of the gas pipeline continues. Some EU experts say the project could harm the competitiveness of the Moscow-promoted Turkish Stream.

Gas from Azerbaijan will be directed to the European Union through the territory of Georgia, Turkey, Greece, Albania and will continue its way through the Adriatic Sea to Italy. This is the so-called Southern Gas Corridor, which will consist of three parts.

The first of these is the South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP) - from Azerbaijan through Georgia to the Turkish border. The second is the Transanatolijski gas pipeline (TANAP), which runs through the whole of Turkey to the border with Greece. The third - Trans Gas Pipeline (TAP) - is designed to transport gas through Greece, Albania, the Adriatic Sea to Italy. Brussels and many EU countries regard the project as an opportunity to diversify gas supplies and strengthen their negotiating positions in relation to Russia.

The expansion of the existing gas pipeline in the south is 80 percent complete. Azerbaijani gas from the Shah - Deniz II field can get to Europe in 2020, and maybe even earlier. There is uncertainty as the construction of the TAP subsea pipeline from Albania to Italy Apulia is now delayed due to protests against the construction of residents of this Italian region.

Atlantic Council expert Agni Grigas acknowledges that while construction may delay public resistance from Puglia's residents, it also points to possible Russian lobbying against the pipeline. “Despite political tensions between the two countries, Moscow is actively trying to encourage Turkey to join the Turkish Stream project, which could dampen Turkey's enthusiasm for the Southern Gas Corridor project. This is of particular concern, especially at a time when Turkey's relations with the West are difficult. ”