Russia has invited Turkey to take part in its South Stream gas pipeline, in what could be another blow to the European Union-backed rival project Nabucco, the Interfax news agency reported late Wednesday citing First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin.
"We have offered Turkey cooperation with the South Stream," Sechin said after a meeting with Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz. Sechin didn't specify what role Turkey would play in the pipeline, which under its current route doesn't cross Turkish territory.
The South Stream - a joint project between Russia's OAO Gazprom (GAZP.RS) and Italy's Eni SpA (E) - will when finished carry natural gas under the Black Sea from Russia to Bulgaria and then via branches to Austria and Italy.
The South Stream is considered a rival project to the Nabucco pipeline, in which Turkey plays a crucial role. Nabucco - meant to ease Europe's dependence on Russian gas - will ship gas from energy-rich Central Asian countries like Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan via Turkey to Austria and other European countries.