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South Stream gas pipeline

Russia, Greece discussed plans of gas pipeline construction across Turkey — Lavrov

Foreign minister Lavrov and his Greek counterpart discussed energy cooperation, considering Athens’ interest in the plans of building a gas pipeline from Russia to Turkey and to the Greek border

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov TASS/Mikhail Japardze

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

© TASS/Mikhail Japardze

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Moscow expects Turkish Stream gas project to enhance Europe’s energy security

MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. Greece shows interest in Russia’s plans to build a gas pipeline across Turkey and this project has good prospects, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday.

Lavrov’s statement came after his talks with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias.

"We discussed energy cooperation, considering Athens’ interest in the plans of building a gas pipeline from Russia to Turkey and to the Greek border," Lavrov said.

"We believe this project has good prospects," he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on December 1 that the project to build the South Stream gas pipeline was closed due to the European Union’s unconstructive approach to cooperation in that sphere, including Bulgaria’s decision to stop the construction of the pipeline’s stretch on its territory.

Instead, Russia will build a gas pipeline to Turkey where a gas hub on the border with Europe will be created, Putin said.

A decision to supply Russian natural gas via the Turkish route bypassing Ukraine was made by the country’s top political leadership, Chairman of the Gazprom Board of Directors Viktor Zubkov said in late January.

The Turkish Stream project will fully substitute the volume of gas currently pumped to Europe via Ukraine, he said.

The Turkish Stream gas pipe’s four lines will have a total capacity of 63 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually. The new gas pipeline will run 660 km (410 miles) along the old corridor of the South Stream project abandoned by Russia and 250 km (155 miles) in the new corridor towards Turkey’s European part, Gazprom said.

Tags

Oil & Gas South Stream Turkey Greece

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