Russia sharply criticizes the decision, announced yesterday by the European Union, to initiate negotiations with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan for the construction of a gas pipeline that brings methane from the Caspian to Europe via the Southern Corridor. Indeed, the EU would like to reduce the dependence of the Old Continent on Moscow, while Russia is developing the South Stream pipeline which is expected to bring Russian methane to Europe starting in 2016.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed disappointment, through an official statement, "for this decision of the European Commission which appears to have been adopted without considering the legal and geopolitical situation of the Caspian basin". According to Moscow, yesterday's agreement would violate the agreement signed in 2007 between Russia and the 5 states bordering the Caspian, which provides for a mutual commitment to consult on all issues of a strategic nature.
