The European Union and the South Caucasus in the Context of the Energy Crisis
https://doi.org/10.31143/2542-212X-2023-2-357-368
EDN: XYSIRW
Abstract
The XXI century has witnessed the European Union's heightened focus towards transitioning to an eco-friendly economy rooted in energy sector that is both efficient and environmentally sustainable. In spite of the ongoing efforts, an energy crisis commenced on the European continent in 2021. This was caused by the swift substitution of hydrocarbon energy carriers with renewable energy sources and the sudden cessation of nuclear energy. The situation has been significantly worsened by anti-Russian sanctions and bans on the import of Russian energy carriers.
The article shows the main milestones of the EU’s general policy towards the states of the South Caucasus in the XXI century, discusses the plans of the EU leadership to use the energy resources of the South Caucasus to bring the energy sector out of the current crisis. Azerbaijan’s export opportunities in terms of energy carriers are analyzed, as well as the role of Georgia and Turkey as transit states. The presence of serious problems related to the capacity of existing oil and gas pipelines has been revealed. It is concluded that Azerbaijani energy carriers will not be able to replace Russian ones in the near future.
About the Authors
Igor M. Uznarodov
Rostov State University of Economics
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Viktor V. Klochkov
Southern Federal University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
References
1. AJVAZJAN A.S. Politika ES v gosudarstvah Juzhnogo Kavkaza: demokratija, bezopasnost', blagosostojanie? [EU Policy in the South Caucasus States: Democracy, Security, Welfare?]. – M.: In-t Evropy RAN, 2022. – 156 p. – (Doklady Instituta Evropy; № 389). (In Russ.).
2. Bol'shaja Evropa. Idei, real'nost', perspektivy [Greater Europe. Ideas, Reality, Prospects] / Under the general editorship of Al.A. Gromyko, V.P. Fedorov. – M.: Ves' mir; In-t Evropy RAN, 2014. – 704 p. (In Russ.).
3. DJATEL T. Evropa importozameshhaet «Gazprom» [Europe Replaces Gazprom with Im-ports]. IN: Kommersant. – № 38. 04.03.2022. (In Russ.).
4. GADZHIEV K.S. Geopolitika Kavkaza. [Geopolitics of the Caucasus]. – M.: Mezhdunarod-nye otnoshenija, 2003. – 464 p. (In Russ.).
5. UZNARODOV I.M. Politika Evropejskogo sojuza na Juzhnom Kavkaze: «Vostochnoe partnjorstvo» [The Policy of the European Union in the South Caucasus: Eastern Partnership]. IN: Bol'shoj Kavkaz-Rossija-Evropa: prostranstvo dialoga i sotrudnichestva. – Rostov-na-Donu; Ta-ganrog: Izdatel'stvo JuFU, 2019. – 290 p. (In Russ.).
6. UZNARODOV I.M. Jenergeticheskaja politika Evropejskogo sojuza [Energy Policy of the European Union]. – Rostov-na-Donu: Izdatel'sko-poligraficheskij kompleks RGJeU (RINH), 2022. – 148 p. (In Russ.).
7. ZHIL'COV S.S. Jenergeticheskaja politika prikaspijskih gosudarstv: itogi i novye vyzovy [Energy Policy of the Caspian Littoral States: Results and New Challenges]. IN: Geojekonomika jenergetiki. – 2020. – № 4 (12). – P. 25-39. (In Russ.).
8.
Review
For citations:
Uznarodov I.M., Klochkov V.V. The European Union and the South Caucasus in the Context of the Energy Crisis. E-Journal “Kavkazologiya”. 2023;(2):357-368. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31143/2542-212X-2023-2-357-368. EDN: XYSIRW
Views:
3
Email this article 