"Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany discussed the Nabucco gas pipeline with the Turkmen authorities this week during a visit to the Central Asian state, a source close to the talks said.The European Union sees Nabucco as a way to ease its energy dependence on Russia and is keen to secure supply commitments from the gas-rich Caspian states such as Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.
Hungary's Gyurcsany has visited both countries this week to discuss the project, which is supported by the United States but criticised by Russia as unfeasible. He met with Turkmen President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov on Wednesday.
"The issue of Europe's energy security and ... Hungary's interest in purchasing Turkmen gas was discussed during the talks," the Turkmen government source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Reuters.
Russia's Gazprom buys about 50 billion cubic metres of Turkmen gas a year -- the bulk of the country's output. But Turkmenistan, which plans to boost output in the future, is considering alternative export routes for additional volumes."
Source: HVG
15.07.2008