[cia-drugs] NATO Seeks to Provide Energy Security in Central Asia

[Vigilius Haufniensis]

http://www.zaman.com/?bl=international&alt=&hn=33106   NATO Seeks to Provide Energy Security in Central Asia By Bahtiyar Kucuk, Istanbul Published: Sunday, May 14, 2006 zaman.com  A move is expected from the NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, to deal with issues related to Central Asian energy resources that gained greater importance following the tension that arose between Russia and Ukraine over natural gas supply, in addition to the crisis over Iran’s nuclear activities. NATO seeks to play a new role in the safeguarding of Central Asian energy resources, NATO official Peter Kovacs told Zaman. There is, in this respect, collaboration between NATO and the trio Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkey over new strategies, said Kovacs. NATO looks at Kazakhstan as a base for the provision of security for energy, said Kovacs, and added that there has been recent progress in the exchange of information with Russian officials and pointed to Turkey as the single country with excellent prospects in the region. NATO is willing to collaborate with other organizations in Central Asia, as there is no sign of conflict between the Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, SCO, according to Kovacs. Although regional countries have sound ties with the Organization, they lack enthusiasm to become a member of NATO, said Kovacs. The near-future prospects for the enlargement of NATO are not good, because Asian countries seem unwilling to take a place within the Organization, said Kovacs, but added that NATO remains resolute in welcoming applications for membership. NATO maintains a close watch on Iran’s nuclear activities, but prefers to avoid intervention, said Kovacs: “The file on Iran’s nuclear program concerns NATO; however, under the current circumstances European countries and other organizations take further interest in handling the issue.” There is collaboration between NATO and Turkey over new projects on Central Asian energy resources, said Kovacs, noting that Turkey’s policies on the region attract support from the Organization. Complete archives at http://www.sitbot.net/ Please let us stay on topic and be civil. OM SPONSORED LINKS United state bankruptcy court western district of texas United state life insurance United state patent United state patent search United states patent office United state flag YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS  Visit your group "cia-drugs" on the web.    To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:  [EMAIL PROTECTED]    Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.