June 26, 2002 - 23:42 AMT
OIL AND GAS PROJECTS IN SOUTH CAUCASUS DISCUSSED IN ISTANBUL
The strategic program on Caspian oil and gas transportation to the countries of the Central and Western Europe is acquiring practical outlines. Romanian President Ion Iliescu stated it upon the completion of the Istanbul summit of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. In Iliescu's words, narrow membership negotiations, in which "the Black Sea five" - Azerbaijan, Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey - participated, were held within the framework of the summit. The so-called "Program of the three seas" - the project of energetic bridge connecting the Caspian, Black and Mediterranean Seas was discussed. At present two oil pipelines: Baku-Supsa and Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan are under preparation. The process of projecting the gas pipeline from Azerbaijan to the north of Turkey with possible continuation to Greece and Italy is being finished. Iliescu noted that the participants of "the five" had emphasized their intention to cooperate within realization of "TRASECA" project, according to which the Caspian oil will flow through Balkans to the Asian countries and Europe.