PUTIN TRAVELING TO TURKEY: ITALIAN BERLUSCONI TO ATTEND NEGOTIATIONS
Turkey has agreed "in principle" to allow the South Stream gas pipeline to pass through its territorial waters, a senior Russian official said on Wednesday, ahead of a visit by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to Turkey.
Putin's trip follows a signing ceremony in Ankara last month for transit agreements for the rival Nabucco gas pipeline, a European Union-backed project designed to counter Russia's strong influence on European energy supplies.
"An agreement has been reached in principle to start construction work," Yuri Ushakov, deputy head of government staff, told a news briefing. He said the Turkish government will also give permission to begin a feasibility study "within days."
It is said that Turkey will agree to allow the South Stream gas pipeline to pass through its territorial waters.
South Stream will be built by a joint venture between Russia's Gazprom (GAZP.MM) and Italian oil group Eni (ENI.MI).
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will take part in the meetings on Thursday.