'Agreement on Nabucco is a bold demonstration'

US Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.), ranking minority member of the Foreign Relations Committee, at the Nabucco pipeline treaty signing ceremony in Ankara, Turkey, on July 13:

“Energy security is at the heart of every nation’s national security and economic concerns. Yet sometimes a country’s pursuit of its own energy security leads them to policies that can damage their allies and neighbors. The consequences of energy insecurity for any one country represented here today could have severe consequences for all the rest: Conflicts may erupt; alliances may be strained; and achieving common interests such as non-proliferation, Middle East peace and economic development may be imperiled.

“As we move forward together on energy, each of us must act to find unity wherever possible. We must cooperate, even when the issues are difficult. We must build relationships with independent states in the Caspian Sea region. We must explore how to improve confidence with Russia on energy. Europe must do more to inter-connect its energy infrastructure. The NATO alliance must make energy security a much higher priority. And each nation must explore alternative sources of energy and ways to improve the energy efficiency of its economy.

“The significance of the Nabucco agreement we are celebrating today is far greater than the natural gas it will carry. Agreement on Nabucco is a bold demonstration that governments representing diverse peoples and geographies can overcome division. It is a signal to the rest of the world that partner governments will not acquiesce to manipulation of energy supplies for political ends.

“Today, the European Union demonstrates unity of purpose on energy security and stands strongly with Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan. The United States is proud to stand with you.”

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