MESOP LATEST : Kurdistan Region to displace Russia in providing natural gas to Europe

13-5-2014 – Kurdpress – The dean of Nawroz University in Dohuk in Iraqi Kurdistan, Azad Ahmed pointed out that the crisis in Ukraine is pushing European countries to turn towards the Kurdistan Region for gas resources and replace Russia with the Kurdish region. In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Ahmed stated that because of the Ukrainian crisis, there has been a rise in demand for natural gas from most European countries due to the sanctions that have been put on Russia. “From the start of the crisis, countries have turned their attention for gas to the Kurdistan Region,” said Ahmed.

About the oil pipelines of the Kurdistan region to Cihan port Ahmed noted that due to the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, it has forced the European countries to find an alternative for their gas demands. For this reason the process of exporting Kurdistan’s gas to Europe has been easier.

Furthermore, Ahmed believes almost one year from now, Kurdistan might have the opportunity to export its natural gas through pipeline to Turkey and then to European countries.“Based on the plans of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Kurdish natural gas was set to be exported abroad after seven years, but the crisis between Ukraine and Russia has led to the US and European countries to put economic sanctions on Russia. Therefore, the exportation of Kurdistan’s natural gas will start much earlier than it has been planned which means that Russia’s role in providing gas is likely to be replaced by the Kurdistan Region,” added Ahmed.

He states that following the crisis, even the visits of the western countries to Kurdistan have increased largely in which they have met both KRG President Massoud Barzani and KRG PM Nechirvan Barzani regarding exporting gas to Europe through Turkey, BasNews said. “The disputes between Kurdistan Region and the federal government of Iraq won’t hinder the process of exporting Kurdish gas to Turkey. No matter whether Baghdad confirms or not, KRG will export its oil because the KRG has the right to export, but constitutionally KRG will face problems,” added Ahmed.