South Stream project still on, consultations being held with EC - minister
MOSCOW. April 18 (Interfax) - Russia continues to implement the project to build the South Stream gas pipeline, Energy Minister Alexander Novak told a press conference.
Novak said consultations on the matter were being held with the European Commission.
"This project is being carried out on the basis of intergovernmental agreements, signed by Russia and countries participating in the project and, in keeping with international law, these agreements cannot be halted. We are in joint consultation with the European Commission on South Stream, and work continues," Novak said.
He also said a working group set up at the beginning of this year following a meeting with the EU energy commissioner, Gunther Oettinger, continued its work. "We recently had a meeting in Moscow, we continue to work, to interact, to operate in this respect with the European Commission," Novak said.
"The project has not been stopped," he said.
The European Parliament on April 17 called for the South Stream project, which will supply Russian gas to Europe, bypassing Ukraine, to be frozen and for other available sources of gas to be used.