MOSCOW, March 29. /TASS/. Gazprom has set up a branch of South Stream Transport B.V. in Istanbul to coordinate work on the Turkish Stream gas pipeline project in Turkey, Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller told reporters. Thus, all conditions have been created to start laying the marine part of the gas pipeline, he concluded.

"In the second half of this year, we will start the laying of the gas pipeline and we plan to complete the construction of two lines of the Turkish Stream by the end of 2019. The drilling of the first section of the micro tunnel has been completed on the Russian stretch, the second micro tunnel is ready for 98.5%. By the decision of the Board of Directors, the Stream Transport BV affiliate has been set up in Istanbul for the implementation of the project and coordination of work in Turkey, which is a very important decision. Thus all the conditions for the start of marine laying have been created, "he said.