Europe’s “weathercock policy”
By Maksim Tsurkov
In recent times, many discussions have been held to find out which of the two gas projects (Southern Gas Corridor or Turkish Stream) is more preferable for Europe. It turned out that a group of countries have no a clear position on this issue. That’s to say, some countries can’t decide on the future of their gas supply.
Many countries of the Balkan peninsula – Greece, Bulgaria and now Serbia also – are among such countries. If earlier, Balkans were called the powder keg of Europe, now they can be called a weathercock which is constantly spinning.
Recently, Serbia has expressed a desire to participate in the implementation of the Turkish Stream project. This announcement made immediately after the negotiations of Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic with his Russian counterpart, proved that Belgrade has no a clear position on its energy future.
It is interesting that this desire was expressed without taking into account that earlier, Serbia was expressing interest in supply of Azerbaijani gas through the Southern Gas Corridor, signed a declaration on strengthening the energy cooperation envisaging the diversification of gas sources and the country’s President Tomislav Nikolic considered the implementation of Turkish Stream project impossible.
The positions of these countries are understandable to some extent. They need gas so as not to freeze in winter and in this situation, they have to use every opportunity to get this fuel. The behavior of these countries is quite explainable taking into account a kind of blackmail by Russia to suspend the gas supply through Ukraine in 2019.
Nevertheless, Serbia, as well as other countries which have no a clear position on this issue, should think and act cold-bloodedly, since upon a closer examination, the advantage of the Southern Gas Corridor over the Turkish Stream becomes apparent.
Russia’s project which has no a legal or practical basis, by no means promotes the intentions of European countries to diversify the supply sources which is currently the main goal for Europe to achieve energy security.
So, the countries of Balkan peninsula and all other countries with a similar position would better abandon the “weathercock policy” and show determination in achieving their own energy security.
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