Russia's Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko said Monday he forecasts a deal with Slovenia and Austria for the development of the South Stream natural gas pipeline shortly.
"We are at the final stages to this agreement, we are close to the finishing line," said Shmatko at a press conference during the Group of Eight leading nations meeting in Rome focusing on energy.
Shmatko refused to give a specific date.
OAO Gazprom (GAZP.RS) and Italy's Eni SpA (E) are working on the South Stream project, which will bring Russian and Caspian gas to Europe via a pipeline under the Black Sea and landing in Bulgaria, bypassing Ukraine.
Shmatko said he discussed the South Stream project with Italian and Turkish officials during his visit in Rome.
Separately, Shmatko said Russia agreed to cooperate with the U.S. on energy efficiency, smart electricity grid systems and coal generation.
"Huge potential for cooperation exists" with the U.S. on nuclear power, he added.