European access to the Caspian energy resources is of vital importance not only for Europe but for transit and supplier countries as well. In this regard a variety of actors play their role. The issue has many important parts to discuss and analyze. The Russian factor is the distinctive one of them.
Under current political developments it is highly unlikely to assume the leaders of Central Asian countries would simply refuse the Russian monopolistic projects. As is known, Putin himself went on the meeting with C. Asian presidents in May, 2007 in Astana, Kazakhstan. Aware of Russia’s ability to create range of problems C. Asian leaders gave in. This in particular is true of Turkmen president - Gurbanguly Berdimikhamedov. Who at the time of the meeting of the three presidents had just recently acquired power and was still not fully confident in own authority to rule.
The third factor that is worth mentioning in this discussion is following: Russia under Putin has become more concentrated, ambitious and successful at the same time. Trough its power position on international energy market Russia is advancing its interest through Europe with a pace not seen since the Soviet Union epoch. Besides the successful attempts of acquiring the European based energy companies and infrastructure, it also reaches out to the territories outside Europe – Algeria, Nigeria, Libya, for example.
EUobserver.com 2008
14.04.2008 - 09:24 CET | By Renata Goldirova
Turkmenistan has agreed to supply 10 billion cubic metres of natural gas to the European Union each year - something that should cut the energy-hungry bloc's dependence on gas from Russia.
"The president [Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov] gave us assurances that 10 bcm will be set aside for Europe in addition to possibilities in new fields to be tendered," EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner told the Financial Times on Sunday (13 April).
Ms Ferrero-Waldner described the deal as "a very important first step" in energy cooperation, although she acknowledged the amount agreed by the two sides does not represent a "vast quantity".