NATO to Discuss Moscow’s Energy Clout

With Europe increasingly concerned about its dependence on Russia for its natural gas, NATO plans to discuss the issue at its summit in Riga, Latvia, starting Tuesday. A look at some of the cards held by Moscow:

– The Russian energy monopoly OAO Gazprom runs the only transit route for gas to Europe from Turkmenistan, the second biggest gas producer in the former Soviet Union after Russia.

– The Russians also either control most pipelines in other Central Asian former Soviet republics or are trying to establish majority ownership. And the only project that would deliver non-Russian gas to Europe through its first direct western outlet — northeastern Greece — is being plagued by construction delays that have postponed its finish from this year to next. It also depends on good relations between rivals Turkey — a transit point — and Greece.

– Energy officials from Russia and Iran — the world’s second-largest natural gas producer — are in contact about coordinating gas export policies, with Gazprom taking a prominent role. Some Iranian gas already bypasses Russia through to Turkey and greater access would relieve dependence on Moscow. But the West is embroiled in confrontation with Tehran over its suspect nuclear program, its human rights record, and accusations of support for terrorists. That has made thoughts of further Iran-Turkey pipelines unlikely.

AFX