The Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline: Initiatives for Regional Cooperation

Abstract

The Caspian Sea is home to vast energy resources. In recognition of the vast importance of energy and supply security, the riparian states have attempted to finalize the delimitation process and bring the discussions surrounding the legal status of the Caspian Sea to a conclusion. Meanwhile, the gradual resolution process for the legal status of the Caspian Sea also paved the way for new infrastructure project proposals in the basin. One such project is the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline project which will transfer the Central Asian natural gas to the Republic of Türkiye and subsequently to the European market. The present study is an attempt at capturing a two year period of the discussions surrounding the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline project. In so doing, it also revisits the discussions around further cooperation prospects amongst the regional actors, headed by the Republic of Turkmenistan, the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Türkiye.