NABUCCO makes us part of Europe, says Saakashvili

On March 20 Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili commented on NABUCCO project implementation at the Brussels Forum-2009 meeting, where the EU’s Eastern Partnership Programme [EPP] was discussed.

According to the President the European Union has made several important decisions concerning EPP. “For the first time Georgia is organizationally and institutionally involved with the EU, something which just one year ago was a dream. This is the result of the changed conditions after the August Russian intervention. Here it has been established what we will receive, i.e. a draft Free Trade Agreement. More new opportunities have been created to attract additional foreign investment. People will now invest their funds in Georgia because very few countries have a free trade agreement with the EU,” stated Saakashvili.

According to official information the EU has decided to finance the implementation of both the EPP and NABUCCO project. “There is a huge lobby for this project within the EU. It is clear which country spent much money to try and prevent yesterday’s decision being taken. Despite this Eastern European states have supported it, and in principle the project has begun,” said Saakashvili. He added that there has now been discussion about facilitating an improved visa regime between the EU and Georgia.

The Czech Republic and Poland have played a decisive role in keeping the NABUCCO natural gas pipeline in the forefront of EU thinking as an important alternative energy supply route which will enhance the energy security of Europe. After vigorous debates the EU has committed EURO 5 billion in 2009-2010 for energy projects in natural gas (EURO 1.44 billion), electrical energy development (EURO 910 million) and wind energy development (EURO 565 million).

The NABUCCO project will receive EURO 200 million initially, with the same amount allotted for northern European (Germany, Belgium, Britain and France) and north African projects. EURO 150 million has been allotted for projects in the Baltic States, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Poland. EURO 100 million has been allotted to Italy and Greece. Romania and Bulgaria will also receive energy development finance.

The NABUCCO project will cost more than EURO 8 billion in total. It envisages pumping gas from the Caspian region to Western Europe by bypassing Russia. It will begin operating in 2013 and in 2015 the full project will be finalized.