Moscow presents South Stream gas pipeline in Brussels May 25May 25, 2011 - 10:14 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko has said that Moscow wants the European Union to view the proposed South Stream natural gas pipeline as a part of its transnational pipelines. He said he will ask European leaders on Wednesday, May 25, in Brussels to consider South Stream a continuation of existing networks so third parties are prohibited from accessing the new pipeline, RIA Novosti reports. "We create large trans-border gas pipelines but can't sign long-term contracts although the Europeans themselves are not against long-term agreements," he said. "We propose that the EU consider South Stream as a continuation of our trans-border trunk gas pipelines and ban the access of third parties to it." About 80 percent of the Russian natural gas bound for European markets transits Ukraine. South Stream is planned to move more than 2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas to Europe per year after it passes through the Turkish waters of the Black Sea. Gas flows are expected by 2015. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Turkey extends military presence in Azerbaijan The Turkish parliament has adopted a bill submitted by Recep Tayyip Erdogan to extend the mandate of Turkish troops. Russia to begin assessing migrant workers' speaking skills Rosobrnadzor is planning to change the Russian language exam for migrant workers and include an assessment of speaking skills Armenian, Saudi Foreign Minister meet in Riyadh The two commended the positive dynamics of the development of political dialogue between Armenia and Saudi Arabia Pashinyan: Azerbaijan’s proximity shouldn’t worry border residents At the same time, he said that he “does not guarantee [the security of villagers] one hundred percent”. |