TASHKENT, December 10. /TASS/. Russia’s Energy Ministry plans to start talks with Turkey on a gas pipeline project in December this year, Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday.

“We’re planning this for December,” Novak told journalists. “Negotiations are now underway at the level of companies,” the minister said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on December 1 that Russia was abandoning its South Stream gas pipeline project in Europe over the European Commission’s unconstructive approach and instead was planning to build a gas pipeline to Turkey.

The Russian energy minister said Russia and Turkey were currently negotiating the route of laying a pipeline to Turkey and the place for the accommodation of a gas hub.

The energy minister gave no details but said some options envisaged laying a gas pipeline across the Black Sea.

“I believe everyone wants to make this process swift and prepare proposals within a short period of time,” Novak said.