According to the Turkey-based Star newspaper, the European Union (EU), which rendered great assistance to Armenia and Turkey in reaching an agreement, wants the planned Nabucco natural gas pipeline to run through Armenia, not Georgia, as a transit country. The normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations may be accompanied by changes in the regional energy balance. Armenia was announced a prospective participant in the Nabucco project.

According to anonymous sources at the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the Armenian-Turkish rapprochement will alter the energy project routes. A high-ranking representative of the Turkish energy sector, the EU’s long-lasting wish has been Armenia’s involvement in the Nabucco project. France was especially active in promoting Armenia’s participation. The EU does not want the pipeline to be laid along the Georgian territory to avert new risks. So Armenia is considered an alternative in energy projects as well. Caspian energy resources will be transported to Europe through Armenia and Turkey. This route is regarded not only as an alternative, but also as the safest one.

According to the source, Armenia’s participation in the Nabucco project was on the agenda, but the issue was not considered because of the discussions on the Armenian Genocide. Turkey set a veto on France’s participation in the project, and Germany was involved.

Other projects awaiting Armenian-Turkish rapprochement

The London-Beijing railway: In 2007, when the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway construction project was launched, a statement was made that the project was to be implemented for peace and stability. All countries, including Armenia, were invited to take part in the project.

The highway bypassing the Black Sea: The following Black Sea countries will participate in the construction of a 7,000-long highway: Turkey, Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Armenia, Albania, Azerbaijan, Moldova and Serbia.

Air communication: The open borders will contribute to trade and cultural communication. The Yerevan-Istanbul flights will be more frequent, and the Ankara-Yerevan air route will be opened.

The TRACECA and INOGATE projects are ahead.