Trans-Caspian gas pipeline authors should hold consultations with other Caspian states - Russian envoy
BRUSSELS. Sept 28 (Interfax) - Countries engaged in negotiations on the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline project ought to hold consultations with other states of the region, Russia's envoy to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov told Interfax.
The politically binding resolution adopted at the 2nd Caspian Summit in Tehran in 2007 requires the five Caspian littoral states' consensus on all major decisions regarding the use of the Caspian Sea, he said.
"Indeed, it is not a judicial but a political obligation, but it was signed by the five presidents. That is why our position is that before any concrete decisions on the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline are adopted, the countries that are interested in putting this project into practice should launch consultations with the other members of the "Caspian Five" and should tackle this issue jointly," the Russian diplomat said.
"These talks are now concentrating on a legal framework for this project," Chizhov said.
"The commercial aspect has not been discussed yet because any such project requires the establishment of a consortium, funds, etc. But no one will offer a legal framework in the absence of money. We think that the judicial foundation there is quite poor," he said.
"We have heard what has been said in Baku. We have heard what has been said in Ashgabat. But we have not heard what Tehran says or thinks. But Iran is also a Caspian state. It is necessary to remember it," the Russian diplomat said.
