WRITTEN QUESTION E-0609/01 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Greek-Turkish agreement to construct new natural gas pipelines under the Inogate Umbrella Agreement.
Date: 2001-03-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, Greece, Türkiye, energy grid, energy policy, energy supply, gas pipeline, inter-company agreement

18.9.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 261 E/159

(2001/C 261 E/184)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0609/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 March 2001)

Subject: Greek-Turkish agreement to construct new natural gas pipelines under the Inogate Umbrella

Agreement

An agreement was reached recently between the Greek company DEPA and the Turkish company BOTAS
to build a bi-directional natural gas pipeline linking the broader Caspian Sea region with consumer
countries in Europe under the Inogate Umbrella Agreement. In accordance with the analytical memo-
randum accompanying this agreement, the two countries are committed to creating a joint body to
monitor the project, draw up a feasibility study and seek funding for the construction of the pipeline. Will
the Commission say:

Can it provide details concerning the agreement in question and the contribution it will make

1.
towards making the European Union self-sufficient in energy?

2.

Do any estimates exist regarding the route this pipeline is likely to take?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(20 April 2001)

The Commission can confirm that under the Inogate programme (Interstate Oil and Gas Transport to
Europe) a cooperation agreement has been concluded between DEPA (Greece) and BOTAS (Turkey) to
study interconnections between the Greek and Turkish gas networks at an initial stage and subsequently
the extension of the project to neighbouring Balkan countries. This project to interconnect gas networks
makes provision for an extension to Italy and the principle of East-West and West-East supplies.

Greece and Turkey are signatories to the Inogate Umbrella Agreement (the institutional framework for the
establishment of these oil and gas transportation systems), as are the following countries: Azerbaijan,
Kazakhstan, Kyrghyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Armenia, Ukraine, Belarus,
Moldova, Romania, Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria et Croatia.

The Commission regards this agreement as important for meeting the growing demand for gas in Europe,
especially the internal market of an enlarged Community, and for the security and diversity of supplies.
This interconnection will offer the European gas market supplies from the Caspian Sea area, Central Asia
and Iran via Turkey and from the Maghreb and Mashreq via Italy and Turkey (southern link of network) in
addition to traditional gas suppliers (Russia, Algeria and Norway).

The engineering studies to trace the path of the pipeline have not yet started. The Commission is engaged
in talks with the Greek and Turkish authorities and companies concerning the financing of feasibility
studies under Community financial and technical assistance instruments.

(2001/C 261 E/185)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0614/01

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 March 2001)

Subject: Football transfer fees

It is said that a small number of complaints started the current football transfer fees debate.