Moscow and Ankara have begun technical implementation for the so-called Turkish Stream gas pipeline, Turkish Ambassador to Russia Umit Yardim was quoted by Sputnik News as saying.
The Turkish Stream pipeline will deliver Russian gas to Turkey and customers in Southern Europe by means of a transit hub on the Turkish-Greek border.
“There are questions that need to be worked out, in particular, how exactly the pipeline will be laid. Both the Russian and the Turkish sides started implementation of the technical part of the project, the cooperation will be continued. Obtaining permission is an insignificant element of this work until the final decisions are made,” Yardim said, at a press conference.
In December 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Moscow would abandon its intention to construct the South Stream pipeline, originally aimed at creating a more stable route for Russian gas passage to southern European consumers, avoiding a traverse of Ukraine.
President Vladimir Putin cited the non-constructive position of the European Commission (EC). The EC claimed the pipeline would be in violation of the EU Third Energy Package, which prohibits the simultaneous ownership of both the gas and the pipeline through which it flows.
On the same day, Russia’s energy giant Gazprom announced its intention to construct an alternate pipeline to Turkey.
