I have lived, worked and traveled to this region for over two decades. I meet with the Presidents and Ministers in Central Asia. They are not looking to complicate their relationship with Russia, nor do they see themselves as Belarus or Armenia where their options are dictated by Moscow. They need to see that while our interests may be more limited, we will exercise leadership in pursuit of policy goals.
Hydrocarbon deposits in Central Asia and the Caspian region will be developed. The question is: will they be developed as an independent source adding to the options customers in Europe and Asia have or will they be exploited by Moscow enhancing Putin’s ability to use energy as a political weapon.
It is wrong to suggest that Gazprom will not be a factor in Europe’s energy mix into the future and we should not set as a goal this unachievable ambition. However, what is needed is for more market forces, more options to exist so when Putin picks up his energy tool for political purposes again, as he surely will, a proper exploitation of the Caspian resources along with US LNG and greater renewables will prevent it from being a useful weapon.
Read more at https://docs.house.gov/meetings/FA/FA14/20140521/102248/HHRG-113-FA14-Wstate-MerkelD-20140521.pdf
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