American expert: “Implementation of the Southern Corridor project will be the beginning of the policy to end dependence from Russia”
“The U.S. and Europe should pay more attention to the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict”
“The project of the Southern Corridor is of special importance for Europe's energy security. In view of dependence of Central and Eastern Europe on Russia’s gas, the diversification of energy supply is necessary. Azerbaijan is the best option to deliver gas to the European markets,” Alexandros Petersen, advisor to the European Energy Security Initiative (EESI) at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars told APA. He said that the Southern Corridor project is important not only for the European countries, but also for the Transatlantic community: “Implementation of the project will be the beginning of the policy to end dependence from Russia and obtaining of new partners like Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is not a direct rival of Russia in the European market, but it is turning into a positive alternative for the European consumers.”
Touching upon the risk of regional conflicts in the further implementation of the project, Petersen noted that in view of the unsolved Nagorno Karabakh conflict, there is such a threat: “It shows that the U.S. and Europe should pay more attention to the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Armenia could have played a positive role in the implementation of the project, but as long as the conflict remains unresolved, Russia will have a major impact on Armenia and the country will always be isolated from such projects.” MORE