Russia regrets EU decision on trans-Caspian gas pipeline

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that Moscow regrets the EU's decision on Monday to open talks with Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan aimed at agreeing shipment of Turkmen natural gas across the Caspian Sea to Europe, RIA Novosti reports.

The European Commission will lead negotiations on the proposed trans-Caspian pipeline, which is part of planned links known as the Southern Corridor, intended to reduce EU dependence on Russian gas imports.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation regrets the EU Council's decision. By all appearances, it ignores the current international, legal and geopolitical situation in the Caspian basin," the ministry said in a statement.