Efforts of Turkey and Armenia toward rapprochement causes a speculation on energy issues over an area including Middle Asia, Caucasus and Middle East.

When wefocus onthe opinion of a Russian expert, we realize new dimensions of the issue. On the other hand, there are evidences that ’energy’ will be one of the basic topics if Turkey and Armenia ratify Zurich protocols. Nuclear energy experience of Armenia is another topic on the energy agenda.

According to Senior Researcher of Moscow based Institute of World Economy and International Relations Ivan Danilin, Azerbaijan does not have enough reserves for Nabucco project. He says that additional reserves including the reserves in Middle Asiaare required for Nabucco to be able to realized.

Turkmenistan is one of these countries. Reminding that the dispute between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan over Caspian watershed is not yet solved, Danilin says that Iran may gain importance for the sake of the project.

Pointing that Turkmenistan and Iran have already agreements on cooperation on energy, Danilin said that the agreement between Turkey and Iran towards cooperation on South Pars gas field may be a sign for the route of Nabucco. Russian expert states that a branch of this route may also pass from Armenia.

Stressing that the normalization process between Turkey and Armenia has key importance for the project, Danilin says that this route would decrease Europe’s energy dependence on Azerbaijan.

As I said before, these are nothing more than speculations. But if we consider Turkey’s steps towards developing its relations both with Armenia and Iran, we realize that these speculations should be taken seriously. These also helps us to understand why Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev supports Turkey-Armenia normalization. Briefly, Turkey-Armenia rapprochement has several dimensions that may change the balances on a wide area.

Armenian government is aware of changing balances and does not want to be excluded from regional projects because of the policies that diaspora imposes. For that reason, Armenian President Sarksyan does not abandon Turkey-Armenia rapprochement despite strong opposition of Armenian diaspora. The statements of Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan are also remarkable. Replying the criticisms of Armenian diaspora, Sargsyan had said, “We are responsible of the three million Armenians living in Armenia.”

Semih Idiz/Milliyet