Électricité de France

It is very likely for Russia to renounce transportation of gas through the network of Ukraine, Russian Economy Minister Alexander Novak has said.

On Sunday Novak was quoted by news agency RIA as saying that Moscow would put all its effort in building the infrastructure of the so-called "Turkish Stream" gas project that is to pump gas to Turkey.

Serbia "in principle" interested in joining Turkish Stream

MOSCOW -- Serbia is interested in joining the Turkish Stream project, Serbian Ambassador to Russia Slavenko Terzic has said.

The planned pipeline would ship Russian natural gas to Turkey via the Black Sea and would represent a supply channel for consumers in Southeast Europe.

By Ewa Krukowska & Paul Tugwell

Russian President Vladimir Putin endorsed plans by Greece to enhance its role as an energy hub for Europe as the region seeks new sources of natural gas.

Bulgaria's Prime Minister should explain why no government official was present at the energy meeting held by ministers of Eastern European countries, the opposition believes.

The foreign ministers of Turkey, Hungary, Serbia, Macedonia, and Greece meet Tuesday in Budapest to discuss energy stability in Central and Southeastern Europe.

The five ministers will discuss opportunities for the diversification of gas supply routes and sources.

Regional ministers discuss "Turkish Stream"

BUDAPEST -- Foreign ministers of Serbia, Hungary, Greece, Turkey, and Macedonia are meeting in Budapest on Tuesday to discuss participation in the Turkish Stream pipeline.

BELGRADE - Three international banks are ready to fund the construction of the Turkish Stream section through Serbia, Srbijagas officials said Thursday.

Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said on Friday he has been assured by EU energy chief Maros Sefcovic that the European Commission will finance the construction of a gas interconnection between Bulgaria and its southern neighghbour Greece.

"I believe we'll be able to build it using European funds," Borisov told reporters in Brussels following a EU Council meeting.

Russia's Stroitransgaz said on March 12 it will build a gas pipeline across Macedonia, which could eventually be used as part of a route to supply Europe with Russian gas via Turkey.

Russian company Stroytransgaz will start building a gas pipeline in Macedonia that would link the Balkan country's gas network system to neighbouring Greece.