Europe’s increasing anxiety over its dependence on Russian natural gas imports led to the idea for the creation of a “Southern gas corridor” to tap into Central Asia’s vast reserves back in late 2008. Now, three years later there are no clear indications however that Central Asian gas will flow to Europe anytime soon, resulting in growing criticism over the way in which the EU has tried to secure alternative supplies.
This policy brief argues that the solution to some of these issues potentially lies in the making of strategic choices in ongoing supply contract negotiations, and a change in the way in which human rights promotion is seen to be related to the Union’s diversification efforts given the fierce competition over energy resources in the region.
