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The realization of Trans Caspian Gas Pipeline project would be a “fortunate development” for Turkey, taking into account growing domestic demand for gas. This point of view was expressed by Robert M. Cutler, expert on Eurasian studies with focus on Central, South, and Southwest Asia, in article published in Turkish daily newspaper Yeni Şafak under the title “Turkey and the legal convention on the status of the Caspian Sea”.

The bright prospects would open with adoption of the convention on the legal regime of the Caspian Sea, which supposedly will be signed by the heads of littoral states in first half of the current year. The exploitation of the Caspian hydrocarbon wealth directly depends on the legal status of the water body.

The determination of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan for the laying of a Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline (TCGP) is clear. No doubt, both energy rich countries, pursuing the strategy of diversification of energy export routes, will proceed with the practical implementation of the project.

Recently the expert proposed two possible routes for export of Turkmen energy resources to Europe with starting route of TCGP. One of the likely routes with the capacity of 16 billion cu m will pass via Turkey. Thus, off-take of Turkmen gas in Turkey will also contribute the diversification of imports sources.

Turkey’s largest gas supplier are Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan. The total annual gas imports in 2016-2017 exceeded 46 billion cu m.