Design of Russia-Turkey gas pipeline begins: Envoy

MOSCOW - Anadolu Agency

REUTERS Photo

Turkey’s ambassador to Russia has announced that the design of a natural gas pipeline from Russia to Turkey is under way.

The move marks the technical launch of the Turkish Stream Project announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Dec. 1 during his official state visit to Turkey.

“The technological realization of the Turkish Stream project has begun,” Ambassador Ümit Yardım told members of the Russian parliament’s lower house, the State Duma, in Moscow on Feb. 3.

“There are questions that need to be worked out, specifically as to how the pipeline will actually be constructed … It is also necessary to obtain the required permits in Turkey to construct the pipeline, but this is just a formality. Turkey considers energy cooperation with Russia to be a critical interaction,” Yardım added.

The project is intended to replace the previously planned South Stream pipeline project, which was intended to carry natural gas to Europe via the Balkan region.

South Stream was canceled due to objections from the EU over its construction, according to Putin.