Turkey has agreed “in principle” to allow the South Stream gas pipeline to pass through its territorial waters, a senior Russian official said yesterday ahead of a visit by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to Turkey.
Putin’s trip follows a signing ceremony in Ankara last month for transit agreements for the rival Nabucco gas pipeline, a European Union-backed project designed to counter Russia’s strong influence on European energy supplies.
“An agreement has been reached in principle to start construction work,” Yuri Ushakov, deputy head of government staff, told a news briefing. He said the Turkish government will also give permission to begin a feasibility study “within days.”
A Turkish government source, who declined to be identified, confirmed to Reuters Turkey will agree to allow the South Stream gas pipeline to pass through its territorial waters. Ushakov said a protocol on cooperation in the gas industry, due to be signed by Putin and Turkish Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan today in Ankara, would also set a date for the start of construction work.
(ΚΑΤΗΙΜΕRINI, 08/06/2009)