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Azerbaijan and Turkey's Shared Dream: TANAP, the Project of the 21st

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  • Azerbaijan and Turkey's Shared Dream: TANAP, the Project of the 21st

    Arabian Gazette
    November 1, 2014 Saturday


    Azerbaijan and Turkey's Shared Dream: TANAP, the Project of the 21st Century

    by: Harun Yahya


    Harun Yahya opines that mega projects like TANAP, apart from bringing
    in huge financial benefits will play an important role in bringing
    peace and well-being to the region.

    Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz signing on The Southern Gas
    Corridor pipeline at a function on 23 September 2014 in Baku,
    Azerbaijan. Photo courtesy-Daily Sabah

    The Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline project (TANAP), described in
    person by senior members of the Azeri state as the `project of the
    century', has not achieved the recognition it deserves among the
    Turkish public, despite causing great excitement among those familiar
    with the subject. This plan for natural gas reserves from Azerbaijan's
    Caspian shores in Central Asia to be sent to Europe via Anatolia - in
    which Turkey will also be a recipient - will be much discussed in the
    years ahead. In fact, this project is the first step in the Southern
    Gas Corridor Project planned between Turkey and Azerbaijan. Even in
    this form, the project is thought to be capable of fundamentally
    altering balances both far and near, while when the entire project
    goes into operation it will likely have a dramatic impact on the
    entire region.

    Turkey currently obtains a large part of its natural gas requirements
    from its northern neighbor Russia. It is therefore justly proud in
    taking part in a new that will diversify that supply model, lower
    costs and, most importantly, allow Turkey's voice to be heard in the
    supply chain. The agreement for this project, signed last September on
    behalf of Azerbaijan and Turkey in Baku by Azeri head of state Aliyev
    and Turkish Foreign Minister DavutoƄ?lu was one which had long been
    prepared beforehand and one for which financing had been arranged and
    the implementation of which was of great importance to both parties.

    The dream of existing natural gas reserves from Azerbaijan's Caspian
    shores being carried to Europe via Turkey is not something of concern
    to Azerbaijan and Turkey alone. Of course Turkey intends to diversify
    its natural gas supplies and reduce its dependence on Russia, but
    there are countries that need this maybe even more than Turkey does.
    These are of course the countries of Europe, whose dependence on
    Russia will decline once the projects are implemented in their
    entirety.

    Even if they encounter no problems in purchasing natural gas, European
    countries still support the idea of an alternative route to Russia,
    which has no qualms about using natural gas as a trump card in its
    international relations. TANAP, which is important for Turkey and for
    Europe, will take its place in the Southern Gas Corridor. The Southern
    Gas Corridor project is intended to improve the variety of supply in
    bringing Caspian, central Asian and Middle Eastern natural gas
    resources to Europe. Turkey and Azerbaijan have agreed on the Turkish
    leg of the corridor. TANAP involves the building of a 2,000-km
    pipeline and a transportation capacity of 32 billion cubic meters of
    gas. Six billion cubic meters of gas will reach Turkey within the
    framework of the project in 2018. The ultimate goal is to carry 10
    billion cubic meters to Europe by the same route as of 2019.

    The Southern Gas Corridor is one of the most complex gas value chains
    ever developed in the world. Stretching over 3,500 kilometres,
    crossing seven countries and involving more than a dozen major energy
    companies, it is comprised of several separate energy projects
    representing a total investment of approximately US$45 billion. Image
    courtesy-TAP

    One of the main features of this natural gas corridor is that in
    contrast to other pipelines, it all runs through secure territory,
    namely Turkey. In addition, both Azerbaijan and Turkey can easily meet
    the approximately $18 billion financing required by the project.
    Economic integration between the two countries is increasing by the
    day and is one of the reasons for the growing belief that the project
    will be completed. A few decades ago, Azerbaijan was on the same
    economic level as Armenia, but it is now a very different country.
    With its accumulated capital it now has important investments in
    Turkey, such as PETKIM.

    Another important aspect of the project from Turkey's point of view is
    the development of relations to allow other regional countries with
    reserves on the Caspian as well as Azerbaijan to join in: Iran,
    another important regional country, looks favorably on the project.

    Integration of the reserves belonging to the Iraqi Kurdistan regional
    administration, our northern neighbor, which is admittedly going
    through some troubles at the moment, will also add to the
    significance of the TANAP project many times over. This will be a
    vital step that will genuinely accelerate prosperity in the region,
    currently known mainly for blood and tears, and speed up economic and
    political integration with Turkey.

    This exciting pipeline to be built under Turkish leadership will not
    only raise the well-being of the countries in question, but will also
    bring peace and brotherhood between these countries and their people;
    such projects must therefore not only be regarded as mega- projects
    bringing in huge financial revenues. TANAP will play an important role
    in bringing peace and well-being to the region. It will establish
    shared values, union and brotherhood between societies and will
    certainly accelerate integration.

    This project will perhaps be the most concrete manifestation of Turkey
    and Azerbaijan's idea of one nation, two countries.




    From: A. Papazian
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