Expert: Swap agreement to link Ashgabat more closely to Baku and Ankara

Swap agreement between Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkmenistan will link Ashgabat more closely to Baku and Ankara, US analyst, writer and columnist focusing on Russia and Eurasia Paul Goble told Report.

Goble also noted that Iran will also be able to strengthen its cooperation with the countries: “Such swap agreements are ways to increase efficiency and cooperation. I think Turkmenistan’s involvement is especially important. It will link Ashgabat more closely to Baku and Ankara. Iran is also reemerging in this way as well.”

Analyst pointed out that thanks to this agreement Baku will be able to export more gas. All three countries will benefit from this agreement, he concluded.

Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkmenistan signed an agreement on swap gas supplies for up to 2 billion cubic meters per year.

According to the agreement, from 1.5 to 2 billion cubic meters of gas will be supplied annually from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan through Iran.

The implementation of the open-ended contract will begin on December 22 this year.