Minister: Nord Stream 2, Turkish Stream aimed at different markets, not alternatives
MOSCOW. Sept 10 (Interfax) - The Nord Stream 2 and Turkish Stream gas pipeline projects are not alternatives to one another, since they are aimed at different markets, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said in an interview with TV channel Rossiya 24.
He said that Turkey's interim government has suspended negotiations on Turkish Stream for the time being due to new parliamentary and government elections.
As for Nord Stream 2, agreements have already been reached with foreign companies, which are unlikely to spend their money on a project that is not needed, Novak said.
The minister said Nord Stream 2 will supply gas to Germany, Central and Northern Europe with a view to growing gas consumption and falling internal gas production in Europe. He cited analysts' forecasts that gas production in Europe will drop by another 30 billion-50 billion cubic meters in the next ten years, after having fallen by 50 bcm in the past five years.