Caspian region to supply 5-percent gas demand of Europe: EU commissioner for energy

The South Corridor Project will provide 10 percent of Europe's gas demand by 2020, EU Commissioner for Energy Andris Piebalgs said at a news conference in Baku on Sept. 15.

He said 5 percent of this volume can be provided through the Caspian region.

"The South Corridor is very important in terms of diversification of energy supply routes to Europe. We hope that the diversification policy will continue in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan," the European commissioner said.

Piebalgs said Russia will continue to play an important role as a gas supplier to the EU and share of Russia's fuel supplies to the European countries will amount to 30-35 percent by 2020.

He added Europe every year becomes more and more dependent on external supplies. By 2013, this dependence may increase from the current 50 percent to 70 percent and by 2020 - up to 90 percent.

/Trend News/