EU’s Piebalgs Seeks Political Push For Nabucco Gas

The European Union must reduce its dependence on Russian energy supplies by accelerating the planned Nabucco pipeline to bring gas from central Asia, says the EU’s energy chief.

The EU is heavily reliant on Russian gas, but it has been pushing for the $12-billion Nabucco pipeline since disputes between Russia and transit states like Ukraine highlighted the frailty of its energy supply routes.
“Our objective of diversifying our sources and routes is even more important after the events in Georgia,” EU Energy Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs told reporters.

The pipeline is due to bring 30 billion cubic meters of Caspian or Middle Eastern gas annually to an Austrian gas hub via Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary.

But analysts say hopes of construction are quickly fading, especially after the conflict in Georgia increased doubts about the security of investing in the turbulent region.

Radio Free Europe