But, unfortunately, Tibold stressed, the relations between Turkey and Russia have reached a historic low.
“It is very unlikely that Turkish Stream will be brought back into the discussion anytime soon,” he added.
Relations between Russia and Turkey have deteriorated after Turkish Air Force jets shot down the Russian SU-24 bomber when it entered Turkish airspace Nov. 24.
Last week Russia’s Energy Minister Alexander Novak confirmed the country’s interest in implementation of the Turkish Stream project in case the European and Turkish sides are interested as well.
In December 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the project will be implemented in case Turkey obtains guarantees from Brussels.
The Turkish Stream project involved the construction of a gas pipeline from Russia to Turkey through the Black Sea. The countries agreed on the project implementation a year ago - in Ankara December 1, 2014. However, an intergovernmental agreement was not signed. Further negotiations on the construction of the gas pipeline were suspended.
Meanwhile the construction of the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline Project (TANAP) on the Turkish territory is on the way. The project envisages transportation of gas of Azerbaijan’s Shah Deniz field from Georgian-Turkish border to the western borders of Turkey.
The initial capacity of TANAP pipeline is expected to reach 16 billion cubic meters of gas per year. Around six billion cubic meters of this gas will be delivered to Turkey and the remaining volume will be supplied to Europe.
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