Azerbaijan is likely to reroute the gas supplies to Asian markets, turning down the role of Brussels' main energy ally in Caspian region, said Elshad Nasirov, Deputy President of Azerbaijani State Oil Company (SOCAR).

According to Izvestia daily, Nasirov threatened to start selling gas to Asian countries, if Europe goes on with protracting construction of Nabucco pipeline, that should link Caspian states with EU, bypassing Russia. “The situation is critical, even more than it might seem. If Europe delays with decision on supply routes, whole Caspian gas will go to Asia. It’s better to sell gas at Asian rates, than have no chance to sell it at European ones,” Nasirov stated.

Thus, chances of Europe to get gas directly from Caspian region just as reduction of its dependence on Russian gas supplies, are endangered.