ALEKSEY VEDEV: “ECONOMY CAN BRING CLOSER AZERBAIJAN AND IRAN”
Aleksey Vedev, Head of Financial Studies Department of the Gaidar Institute, ex-Deputy Minister of the economic development of the Russian Federation, commented in an interview with Oxu.Az on the results of the Summit of Heads of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Turkmenistan. The expert noted that most of the gas-consuming countries intend to diversify the market and increase the sources of supplies.
From Aleksey Vedev's point of view, the gas hub project in Turkey has a right to exist. The only issue relates to the volumes of gas to be supplied and to what extent the gas hub in Turkey will meet Europe's needs. But this is a point for negotiations. For this purpose, among others, a working group is being established. It is an example for Russia. Kazakhstan is also trying to diversify the supply of hydrocarbons, selling them to China. This situation should be treated as the prevailing market conditions, the expert believes.
- There is now reporting about Turkmen gas supplies to Europe via Azerbaijan and Turkey. Wouldn't this arouse some kind of jealousy in Russia? In any case, some Russian Orientalists openly write about it.
- I am not a decision-maker, but in my opinion, Russia should accept market conditions. After all, we could object to Qatari liquefied gas as well.
- And how marketable are the 25% discount on Russian gas for Turkey, which possibility the Bloomberg agency reported? Is it linked to setting up a gas hub in Turkey for Russian gas flows?
- In the context of sanctions, this is one of the actions of Russia, which already sells Urals oil at a certain discount. Probably, this will also happen to gas. There are more questions than answers here. If there will be a 25% discount, then, from what price? We are not aware of this. Perhaps this price will even be quite profitable for Russia.
- It seems that while Azerbaijan, Turkey and Turkmenistan are discussing projects, a working group on a gas hub with Russian participation is being set up, Iran, rich in gas reserves, remains on the sidelines, Iran is not mentioned anywhere.
- I think that Iran has patience and intends to gradually recover amid the existing sanctions and probably even under their partial relaxation. Tehran will be a long-term player in the hydrocarbon market.
- What happens if Tehran gets involved in regional projects that will pass through the territory of Azerbaijan, could this affect the reduction of any political friction between the AR and the IRI? The tension between our countries is very noticeable from time to time.
- I can express the hope that economy unites. If economic projects succeed, political friction should diminish.