ROME, July 08. /ITAR-TASS/. Italy is ready to render support for the energy dialogue between Russia and the European Union in order to promote the implementation of the South Stream gas pipeline project, Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini said on Tuesday.

“South Stream has always been a project of strategic significance for Italy since it would help to diversify routes for the Russian natural gas supplies, eventually enhancing energy security both for Italy and the European Union,” Federica Mogherini said in an interview with ITAR-TASS.

The construction of the Russia-sponsored South Stream gas pipeline, intended to pump Russian natural gas directly to Europe bypassing transit countries like Ukraine, was recently subjected to a set of obstacles as the European Commission attempted to block the project’s implementation over Russia’s stance on Ukraine.

“The South Stream (project) must respect and take into account all European norms in the energy sector, and we (Italy) are ready to work on promoting the dialogue between Russia and the European Union in this sphere,” the top Italian diplomat said.

Mogherini is rounding up her official visit to the Ukrainian capital of Kiev on Tuesday and will then set off to Moscow, where on July 9 she is scheduled for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.