Problems of Energy Security in the South Caucasus after the August 2008 War

Abstract

The article is devoted to the energy component of regional relations in the South Caucasus after the Caucasian crisis of 2008. The problems in the export of energy resources from the region that arose as a result of the Russian-Georgian armed conflict in August 2008 are revealed. There is a desire of the European Union and Turkey to fill the gap in the implementation of investment programs, including energy, after the rupture of relations between Georgia and Russia and the weakening of their role in the energy sector in the South Caucasus. It is stated that in the conditions of increased competition in the region, a formula for energy export routes has not been developed that satisfies all interested parties. In this regard, the Nabucco project could contribute to solving this problem, but the European Union did not have the tools to help resolve conflicts in the South Caucasus. This reduced the effectiveness of its efforts to transport energy carriers and, at the same time, significantly increased the role of Turkey in the creation of Turkey’s interests in regional cooperation with Russia are traced, and its increased role in the creation and operation of key energy pipelines in the South Caucasus is revealed. A general analysis of the geopolitical situation in the region after the August 2008 war concluded that the global economic crisis, lack of investment in the energy sector, and the growing influence of Russia and China in the region were key factors complicating the creation of a reliably functioning East-West energy transportation corridor through the South Caucasus. vvvv