Putin: Russia Still Interested in Building Pipelines to Europe

Business » ENERGY | May 28, 2016, Saturday // 14:11
Bulgaria: Putin: Russia Still Interested in Building Pipelines to Europe File photo, EPA/BGNES

Russia is interested in deepening cooperation with Greece, but also in continuing to build pipelines in Europe, President Vladimir Putin made clear during his meeting with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Friday.

Putin is in Greece on Friday and Saturday.

In his first bilateral visit to a EU country this year, he added Russia was also working on the expension of Nord Stream to the Baltics and expressed his hope that no-one would stop the project in a similar fashion to the fate of South Stream.

Putin placed emphasis on Russia's willingness to build a pipeline in Europe, but added his country would need "guarantees" no obstacles would be put before the project. Recalling Russia's previous intention to have the pipeline built through Bulgarian territory, he added Gazprom was not allowed to go on with the project as Bulgaria had refused to give the green light at the behest of the European Commission.

While South Stream's construction was abandoned in 2014 by Moscow with Putin citing EU opposition, and Nord Stream-2 was recently been questioned by EU Commission officials.

No explicit mention was made by Putin of any given pipeline project to Greece.

But earlier, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said a planned gas pipeline making deliveries to Greece might use Bulgaria as a transit country.

Novak also argued the possible Russian pipeline would not be in any contradiction with the construction of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline which began last week.

During the meeting between Tsipras and Putin, agreements were reached in energy, including gas price discounts and supply with Rosneft crude to Greece, part of which will remain in the country after being refined, according to the Bulgarian National Radio's Athens correspondent.

New fuel production and processing technology will also be handed to Greece.

Tsipras for his part praised the "strategic choice" of strengthening ties with Russia, citing tight religious and spiritual bonds and the prospects for building up on the current economic partnership.

The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) quotes him as saying: "Everyone acknowledges that the fugure of the European continent is unthinkable if the EU defies Russia."

"It is precisely where Greece could be useful, by serving as a bridge for cooperation and friendship."

On Saturday, Putin's visit continued on to Mount Athos, where he also attended celebrations in 2005.

 

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Tags: Vladimir Putin, Alexis Tsipras, Russia, greece, Trans-Adriatic Pipeline, South stream, Nord Stream-2

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