Armenia-Turkey accord has nothing to do with gas issue, European Commission energy spokesman Ferran Tarradellas Espuny.

“It is not bad at all, that Armenia and Turkey attempt to normalize relations, however Azerbaijan might not subscribe to that view, as Karabakh issue is not settled yet, therefore it impedes Azerbaijani-Turkish negotiations. Azerbaijan might decide that Armenia-Turkey dialogue is an aggressive step towards the country,” Espuny said. He called on the sides to differentiate politics from energy, as the combination of these two is “a detonating mixture, hot cocktail.” “I hope that Azerbaijan’s aspiration to become energy supplier for Europe, and Turkey’s — to transport Azerbaijani gas to Europe will prevail over political ambitions,” Espuny stated. According to him, politics and energy policy should be separated in any case, as Europe is highly interested in Azerbaijan as gas supplier and Turkey — as transit country, with or without Nagorno-Karabakh or Armenian-Turkish relations’ normalization.

Azerbaijan and Turkey are involved in Nabucco project that provides gas supply from Azerbaijan through Turkey to Europe. However, Armenia-Turkey reconciliation and Protocols’ signing arouse negative reaction of Baku due to unsettled Karabakh issue. EU welcomed the accord, stating that “it will be advantageous to all South Caucasian states.”