MOSCOW, December 14. /TASS/. The Russian Energy Ministry is confident that new US sanctions will not be able to prevent implementation of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline because of the agreement between Russia and Turkey, Deputy Minister Anatoly Yanovsky said on Thursday in an interview with Nefte Compass magazine.

"The Nord Stream 2 project is implemented by commercial companies, both Russian and foreign ones. The government is not participating in implementation of this project, as distinct from the Turkish Stream, where the Russian government made an international agreement with the government of the Republic of Turkey for its implementation. I think sanctions will not intervene with the Turkish Stream project, because there are sovereign countries of Turkey and Russia. Turkey wants to receive gas from Russia over the new pipeline system - you’re welcome," Yanovsky said.

The first line of the Turkish stream is scheduled for commissioning in March 2018. The second line intended for gas transit to Europe is set to be commenced in 2019. Their capacity is 15.75 bln cubic meters of gas per year for each line.

An opportunity of deliveries to Europe will depend on the desire of European consumers to buy extra gas volumes from the territory of Turkey, the official said.