Turkey hopes to start operating the gas hub project proposed by Russia within a year, the country's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Donmez said, RIA Novosti reported.

There is no center for gas trade in Eastern and Southeastern Europe. The countries in the region with which we have contacts also support this gas hub project, Donmez as saying said.

The Presidents of Russia and Turkey have previously instructed to work in detail on the creation of a gas hub in Turkey. Through this hub, in particular, the supplies of gas from the damaged Nord Stream could be moved. According to Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak, it's not only about creating a trading platform in Turkey, but also about the development of infrastructure and increase of supplies to the south. According to him, other countries can also be involved: Algeria, Qatar and Azerbaijan also supply gas to Europe via the southern route.