Ankara is ready to discuss the construction of the Turkish Stream pipeline, Turkish Ambassador to Russia Umit Yardim said.
"Regarding the Turkish Stream pipeline proposed by Russia, this is a new point in our agenda, and work on it is still in a preliminary phase. In general, we are ready to work on all proposals which will be mutually beneficial," RIA Novosti cited Yardim.
According to him, the project must take into account the needs of the entire region. "Of course, European gas demand would be the main determining factor," the ambassador said, adding that representatives from Gazprom recently visited Turkey to discuss the project.
The diplomat added that cooperation in the energy sector remained one of the most important factors underpinning relations between Russia and Turkey. "Turkey is the second-biggest consumer of Russian gas in Europe after Germany. Apart from that, we are building the first nuclear power station in Akkuyu together with our Russian partners. This project alone, worth $20 billion, shows unprecedented levels of trust and mutual willingness to increase cooperation in the energy sector," he said.
