Armenia best route for Iranian gas transit to Europe

PanARMENIAN.Net - The recent events have considerably affected the situation in the Caucasus, an Armenian expert said.



"Implementation of regional projects bypassing Armenia is now questioned. Tensions over South Ossetia still persist. Besides, the transit route through Georgia is too expensive and can be easily replaced by Armenia," Vahan Dilanyan told a news conference today.



"At the same time, Azerbaijan's bellicose statements and ongoing increase of the defense budget make an impression that it can follow Georgia's ways. Besides, Azeri oil and gas resources are not enough for Nabucco, which demands 15 billion cubic meters of gas for a start," he said.



"Under the circumstances, Iran is likely to be invited to the project. Given the U.S. and EU recent optimistic statements, it's quite possible. Thus, Armenia can become the most convenient and secure route for the transit of Iranian gas to Europe," Dilanyan said.



The expert also reminded that Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said that Armenia can become an alternative route for Iranian gas transit. "The global crisis has testified that economic benefits come to replace political ones in implementation of regional projects. And Armenia stands a good chance to make use of it," Dilanyan said.