Gazprom, Ankara agree to start gas deliveries via Turkish Stream in December 2016

The Turkish Stream pipeline will become operational in December 2016, said head of Gazprom Aleksey Miller, as quoted by RIA Novosti.

"An agreement [between Russia and Turkey] has been reached on operational commissioning and the start of gas deliveries via Turkish Stream in December 2016," said Miller.

Gazprom's Miller met Turkish Minister Energy Minister Taner Y?ld?z in Ankara May 7, Gazprom said in a statement. 

The agreement was signed by Miller and Y?ld?z.

"Gazprom will regard today's agreements as a basis for the schedule of its work on the Turkish Stream project," the head of Gazprom said, as quoted by RIA Novosti. 

The pipeline's construction was agreed between the leaders of Russia and Turkey in December 2014. The pipeline with an annual capacity of 63 billion cubic meters will replace the South Stream, which was suspended over the EU's stance on Russia.

Turkish Stream will travel from Russia, transit through Turkey, and stop at the Greek border, giving Russia access to the Southern European market.