Putin, Erdogan mark key phase of natural gas pipeline

ISTANBUL — Russian Pres- ident Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have marked the completion of a key phase of TurkStream, a natural gas pipeline connecting the two countries.

Speaking at a ceremony in Istanbul, Erdogan announced the offshore part of TurkStream’s two parallel lines two kilometers deep in the Black Sea had been finished and said the final leg of the “historic project” had been reached.

The lines are expected to supply Russian gas to Tur- key and European markets through Turkish territories. Together, the two 930-kilo- meter (578-mile) underwater lines, along with the Russian and Turkish onshore pipes, will carry 31.5 billion cubic meters (1.1 trillion cubic feet) of natural gas annually.

“We are witnessi n g a very important event that is a clear demonstration of a partnership and cooperation between our countries in dealing with the most com- plex and ambitious projects,” Putin said.

He added, “The implementation of projects like this one is a good example of an abil- ity to stand up for one’s own national interests.”

The remarks appear to be referring to the Kremlin’s long-standing position that some European nations are giving up lucrative deals with Russia under pressure from the United States.

Turkey relies on imports for its energy needs and Russia is its top supplier for natural gas. It bought nearly 29 billion cubic meters last year. That gas is currently trans- ported through another line under the Black Sea, called Blue Stream, and the onshore West Line through Ukraine, which is mired in conflict with Russia.

“Turkey will be able to fulfill its own as well as European countries’ natural gas demands with- out being exposed to tran- sit risks,” Erdogan said, as he announced that TurkStream would begin oper- ations in 2019.