European commissioner: "EU must seek political push for Nabucco gas"

The EU is heavily reliant on Russian gas, but it has been pushing for the $12 billion Nabucco pipeline since disputes between Russia and transit states like Ukraine highlighted the frailty of its energy supply routes.

"Our objective of diversifying our sources and routes is even more important after the events in Georgia," EU Energy Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs told reporters on Thursday.

The pipeline is due to bring 30 billion cubic meters of Caspian or Middle Eastern gas annually to an Austrian gas hub via Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary.

But analysts say hopes of construction are quickly fading, especially after the conflict in Georgia increased doubts about the security of investing in the turbulent region.

"We need more political engagement to remove all the obstacles to Nabucco to bring gas from the Caspian basin to the EU," said Piebalgs.

EU has signed agreements with Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Ukraine to help develop their energy supplies with a view to future imports. It is also eying Egypt and Iraq as possible future suppliers.

/APA/