In his interview with Russia Today, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Turkey and Russia are not partners in South Stream project, despite the gas pipeline passing through Turkey along with Nabucco.

“We are partners in Nabucco project. I consider that two projects are complementary, as Europe cannot settle for one only, whereas the two together meet European requirements. We are involved in researches on South Stream project, while Nabucco comprises 6 states — Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Austria and Germany, where appropriate companies already actively seize the matter. Definitely, Turkey is a transit country, however there are supplying and consuming states. Thus, we have to launch Nabucco project as early as possible, for which the ministers, officials and myself keep on working on the project.”

A.G.