On July 17, Turkmenistan signed a development deal with the German gas giant RWE, which is one of the five companies behind the Nabucco project. While a gas exploration agreement is a far cry from a firm commitment to being a Nabucco supplier, the deal is indicative of Ashgabat's growing interest in engagement with the West.  

Gazprom has been Turkmenistan's main export partner for the past three decades. But recent events including a pipeline explosion that Ashgabat blamed on Gazprom and pricing disagreements have prompted Turkmenistan to review its relationship with the energy giant. On July 10, Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhemedov stated that his country was interested in providing gas for Nabucco and that it has the necessary reserves to do so.  

As with all things Nabucco, it doesn't pay to be overly optimistic. Turkmenistan's decision to deal with RWE may simply be an attempt to improve its bargaining position with Gazprom. Regardless, it is good to see Nabucco capitalizing on th opportunity instead of squandering it.