Ukraine may join Trans-Caspian gas pipeline project April 4, 2012 - 14:38 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Ukraine is ready to join the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline project which will deliver natural gas to Europe from the Caspian Sea region bypassing Russia, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said on Wednesday, April 4. “Ukraine is interested in the implementation of the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline project, the construction of which is being studied by Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan,” Azarov said at a meeting with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev in Baku, RIA Novosti reported. The Trans-Caspian gas pipeline is expected to deliver gas from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan via Azerbaijan to Europe. Russia has objected to the project whilst the legal status of the Caspian Sea is defined. Ukraine has for many years been locked in disputes with Russia over gas deliveries and prices, which has sometimes led to supplied to Europe being cut off. Most recently it has been seeking to alter the terms of the 2009 gas deal it signed with Russia. The deal ties the price of gas to oil prices, which have risen strongly since 2009, boosting Ukraine's gas bill. Ukraine will have to pay some $416 per cubic meter of Russian gas in 2012. Kyiv insists the price and volume of its gas imports should be reduced. Ukraine has announced its intention to reduce purchases of Russian natural gas and seek alternative deliveries.   Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion.   Partner news |  Latest news Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha  The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council met with the Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Qatar.ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event.Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province.Armenia calls for prohibiting threats of attacks on nuclear facilities Armenia has raised the need for a treaty prohibiting attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes. |
