Further delays in agreement between Turkey and Azerbaijan on gas supply terms from the Shah Deniz field might shut the door upon opportunities for South Corridor project, Richard Morningstar U.S. Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy told the journalists yesterday, Jan. 28.

He called disappointing the fact that no accord on gas supplies is reached so far. Morningstar underlined that both states are U.S. friends and the country does not back any negotiating party. According to him, U.S. supports the idea of new corridor construction for gas supply from Caspian region to Europe.

South energy corridor might unite Nabucco and gas main between Turkey, Italy and Greece. Both directions are significant from strategy viewpoint for diversification of gas resources and opening of new energy routes to Europe, Morningstar stated. The official outlined that south energy corridor will yield profit to the Caucasian and Central Asian countries, as well as create long-term partnership based on mutual interests with Europe.

According to Morningstar, presently Washington’s attention is focused on two directions: Turkey-Azerbaijan agreement on Shah Deniz field and provision of gas from the countries of Central Asia and Middle East.

South corridor concept will appear nonviable if countries getting major preferences from its realization do not reach commercially rational and mutually beneficial agreement on gas transportation terms, Morningstar said, excluding Iran’s possible participation in the project.

A.G.