“At the current stage Ukraine and Azerbaijan do not have perspective joint energy projects,” Ukrainian independent energy expert Valentin Zemlyanskii told REGNUM news agency’s correspondent in Kiev on November 19, 2013.
Yesterday after the talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Kiev Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich said that the energy cooperation between the two countries is a priority. “Ukraine is a reliable transit country, while Azerbaijan is a reliable supplier of energy carriers. Our countries have all conditions to unite efforts for transportation of hydrocarbons to Europe,” said Ukrainian President.
Kiev has repeatedly announced its readiness to become co-investor of the trans-Anadolu gas pipeline (TANAP), though Azerbaijan earlier made it clear that it is not interested in Ukraine’s involvement in this project. “Ukraine could invest up to $800 million and considering that Azerbaijani gas will cost Ukraine $60.00-80.00 per 1000 cub.m. cheaper than Russian one the investments will be repaid within five years maximum.
“I believe in adequacy of the Azerbaijani government. Ukraine has been made clear once that its involvement in this project is not advisable. But Ukraine stubbornly tries to achieve that. This is a sophisticated oriental policy. I do not think that Ukraine will be forced to do something, but I also do not think that Ukraine will be invited,” Zemlyanskii said.
“The sum of $80 million, which Ukraine allegedly offers to invest into TANAP, causes doubts. This amount could be used to build a new pipeline to reverse gas from Europe to Ukraine. Ukraine’s interest in investing capital into TANAP construction is a riddle for me,” expert said.
“At the current stage both Ukraine and Azerbaijan have no perspective joint projects. The Odessa-Brody oil pipeline has problems with consumers. Azerbaijani oil is low granular and its price is rather higher, it is considered among the best types of oil. I see no gas projects as well. Neither LNG terminal, not Ukraine’s joining TANAP seems advisable. In the mid-term any joint projects are hardly possible,” concluded Zemlyanskii.—0—
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