The natural gas route from Russia to Turkish-Greek border, known as Turkish
Stream, will turn Turkey into an energy hub, Turkey's minister of energy Taner
Yildiz said at the third meeting of the Bosphorus Energy Club in Istanbul, as
quoted by Turkish media on Thursday.
Russian president Vladimir Putin had
announced last weekthat Russia will end construction of theSouth Stream
natural gas pipeline, which was intended to pass through Bulgaria to Europe, and
concentrate instead on a new energy project in collaboration with
Turkey.
"On Wednesday we began working on an alternative gas pipeline
project with Russia, its route through the Black Sea ensuring that the Thrace
region will become a gas hub," Yildizsaid, as quoted by news agency Anadolu
Ajansi.
"I believe this project can be realised.We have to be very
clear and transparent about this project.Everything will be negotiated openly,"
Yildiz added.
Yildiz alsostatedthat negotiations with the Russian
natural gas company Gazprom are ongoing toagree on a definitive gas purchasing
pricefor Turkey.
"We talked with the Gazprom officialsyesterday about a
discount in gas prices.We want to conclude thisbefore the end of theyear," he
said, adding that they will meet twice more with Gazprom for
discussions.