Nabucco Project is vital for European energy security and diversification of energy resources, said US Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy Richard Morningstar at the Centre for European Politics speaking of Turkish-Azerbaijani talks on transit.

According to him, if Turkey and Azerbaijan fail to agree on gas price, energy companies will start to seek for alternative ways. "The alternative might be transport of liquefied and compressed gas to Europe through Black Sea under “White Stream” project (lobbied by Ukrainian Premier Yulia Tymoshenko – NEWS.am’s note). We have to work on all alternatives and we will do so. However the priority should be given to the efforts in achieving the understanding between Turkey and Azerbaijan, that will enable the former to become a key transit country for gas transport to Central Asia from Caucasus.

“The solution to the issue why Turkey and Azerbaijan cannot agree on the gas price and its transit cost should be urgently found. We do our utmost to encourage both states reach an accord, as for the maintenance of confidence in Nabucco and trust of those joining the project the countries should arrange a settlement. We hope they will reach an accord however the go-ahead is really slow. I suppose both of them should realize that mutual understanding meets their strategic interests,” Morningstar added.

Besides, he emphasized that the matter of sources to get gas for Nabucco are not on agenda: “It is well known that firstly the gas will be supplied by Azerbaijan and other suppliers might be Turkmenistan and Iraq, restating that Iran is not welcome in the South corridor.”

In addition, he informed that last week a committee on shaping the energy policy and regulation of crisis situations between the EU and Russian was formed in Washington. According to him, it will also determine the legality of deals with Russian Federation.