Erdogan Says It Was Turkey That Halted Turkish Stream

It was not Turkey but Russia who stopped preparation for the Turkish Stream gas pipeline project, the country's President said on Saturday.

Earlier this week, Moscow announced it was suspending work on Turkish Stream, calling on Ankara to clarify whether it was still interested in the project.

Erdogan, however, argued Russia had failed to meet Turkey's demands, according to Daily Sabah.

Commenting at an international forum that was part of an innovation expo held in Istanbul this week, the Turkish head of state said Ankara would be able to find other gas supplier than Russia.

His remarks follow days of tensions between Russia and Turkey over the downing of a Turkish plane last Tuesday.

Erdogan also made earlier this week a visit to Qatar to secure a deal on liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchases. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, for his part, paid a visit to Azerbaijan, where de stated his country's readiness to complete a joint gas project ahead of schedule.