Italy's Eni says Russia’s South Stream to Austria first priorityApril 20, 2012 - 16:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The shareholders in the South Stream gas pipeline, intended to carry natural gas to Europe, have agreed to build the northern leg to Austria before starting work the southern leg to Italy, Paolo Scaroni, head of Italy's Eni energy company, said on Friday, April 20, according to RIA Novosti. "This question is in the competence of [Russian gas giant Gazprom] and the transit countries, but we have come to agreement that the leg to Italy's south will be made after construction of the first onshore leg to Austria is completed," Scaroni told reporters. The South Stream pipeline is intended to transport up to 63 billion cubic meters of natural gas to central and southern Europe, diversifying Russian gas routes away from transit countries such as Ukraine. Construction will start in December 2012. Russia plans to start using the pipeline in 2015. The pipeline's core shareholders include Gazprom with 50 percent, Italy's Eni with 20 percent and Germany’s Wintershall Holding and France's EdF with 15 percent each. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |