Russia, Slovenia ink South Stream gas pipe cooperation agreement
 MOSCOW, Nov 16 (PRIME-TASS) -- Russia and Slovenia signed on November 14 an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation while implementing the South Stream natural gas pipeline project, ITAR-TASS reported.
The agreement was signed by Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko and Slovenian Economy Minister Matej Lahovnik following talks between Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Slovenian counterpart Borut Pahor.
After reaching an agreement with Slovenia, Russia has concluded agreements on the South Stream gas pipeline with all its partners, Putin said after the signing ceremony.
“We have today signed the final agreement among all European partners needed for the implementation of this project,” he said.
The South Stream pipeline is expected to be built by Russian gas giant Gazprom and Italian energy company Eni, and to carry Russian gas under the Black Sea to Bulgaria and then branch into two stretches. The first stretch is expected to run southwest through Bulgaria and Greece to Italy, while the second stretch is expected to run northwest to Austria.
According to earlier reports, Gazprom and Slovenia’s state-controlled Geoplin Plinovodi expect to set up a joint venture to build and operate the Slovenian section of the pipeline. The companies plan to hold the joint venture on a parity basis.
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16.11.2009 11:59
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