With Europe’s energy supplies deriving from a narrow collection of reserves, future diversification to ensure energy security is a crucial matter for debate. One potential solution is the creation of a Southern Gas Corridor, linking Europe with Caspian region and Middle-Eastern supplies.

In this context, the European Movement International and the Caspian Strategy Institute (HASEN), the research organisation on the broader Caspian Region, hosted an afternoon debate to share differing experiences and perspectives between actors on the future EU energy strategy, with particular attention to the Corridor.

Diogo Pinto, Secretary General of the European Movement International, stated that ‘since future energy sources are core to multiple elements of the Europe 2020 strategy and a drive towards smart, sustainable growth – it is important for the European Movement to highlight that the Corridor can not only bring increased energy security, but can enhance cooperation between EU members states and neighbouring countries’.

Amanda Paul, of the European Policy Centre, added that ‘it’s positive in particular to mention the improvement of the EU’s relationship with Azerbaijan through energy discussions, which has the potential to bring the country closer to Europe’.

Prof. Mesut Hakki Caşın, of the Caspian Strategy Institute, built upon this by stating ‘such cooperation will not only improve energy security, but will foster historical cooperation between the Balkan, Mediterranean and Caucus regions – establishing cooperative relationships, modernising countries and creating jobs’. He continued that ‘this project can establish modern infrastructure and improve supply diversification for Balkan countries’.

Prof. Mubariz Hasanov, of the Caspian Strategy Institute thought it important to also highlight that ‘the Southern Gas Corridor will reduce Europe’s natural gas costs by around 3.5 USD billion each year and will bolster the social welfare of European countries. It will also bring significant economic benefits to all partners and countries involved in the project’.

It is widely accepted that without the EU’s support, the Southern Gas Corridor would not exist. Responding to questions that the cost for the EU has now outweighed the results and that the Union’s role now limited, Brendan Devlin, Adviser, DG Energy, European Commission stated that ‘the Southern gas corridor is seen as a great success from perspective of the European Commission as genuine security concerns in the transporting gas to the EU led Commission to pursue supporting a southern gas corridor’. He continued that ‘the European Commission remains committed to supporting the development of the Southern Gas Corridor as a means to diversify European energy supplies’.