Gas bluff of Europe

In the middle of next week, on December 18-19, next summit of the European Union will be held in Brussels. Agenda is supposed to be very diverse, but the events of recent weeks dictate the need for a broad discussion of, first of all, energy prospects of the EU. Russia's refusal to build South Stream can not only lead to dependence on Turkmenistan, unpleasant for the Europeans, but also turns Turkey into a global player.

Three into one

Less than ten days after the loud statement of the Russian President Vladimir Putin of Russia's refusal to build South Stream the European Union reported by results of an emergency meeting of all 28 EU Energy Ministers that there are alternatives to Russian gas. Through the words of the Deputy Chairman of the European Commission Maros Shevchovich official Brussels noted three directions of the EU energy policy.

The basis of the first one is a concept of the so-called Southern Gas Corridor - a network of local pipelines from the Caspian region towards southern Europe. The second and third options are related to the construction of additional liquefied natural gas terminals and development of the Black and Mediterranean seas’ shelf.