§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they agree with the United States that the Baku-Ceyhan route is the most desirable for the main export pipeline for oil from the Caspian oil province; that the exclusion of Iran and Russia from decisions concerning the exploitation of the resources of the Caspian Sea is politically sustainable; and that the Montreux Convention establishing free passage through the Straits from the Black Sea should be abrogated. [HL3783]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanWe believe strongly in the development of multiple pipelines to export Caspian oil and gas but also that decisions on pipeline routes are essentially for the companies concerned. They will provide the funding to build them and must therefore ensure they are commercially viable and competitive. The exploration, development and export of oil and gas from the Caspian requires co-operation between the states of the region, energy companies, neighbouring countries, and other interested countries such as the United Kingdom. The sheer scale and cost of the task are beyond the resources of any one government or company. We have no plans to abrogate the Montreux Convention.