MOSCOW, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- A source close to Russian energy ministry discussions told state media there are no proposals in the Kremlin from Turkey on a proposed natural gas pipeline.
A representative in the Russian Energy Ministry told state news agency ITAR-Tass last week the Kremlin has sent two offers to the Turkish government for consideration on a pipeline project dubbed Turkish Stream. On Wednesday, similar sources said there is still no word on the project from the Turkish government.
Russia, the source was quoted as saying, was ready for a "phased implementation" of the project. Earlier, the Turkish government said Russian planners hadn't come forward with route coordinates for the pipeline through the country. The project can't move forward without them, the Turkish energy ministry said.
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said last month a decision on at least one of the legs of the planned pipeline was expected "within a week or two."
Turkey aims to exploit its geographical position to serve as an energy bridge for oil and natural gas supplies running from Eastern economies to Europe. A rival project from natural gas fields off the coast of Azerbaijan would run through Turkish networks to Europe.
Turkey is the second-largest consumer of Russian natural gas. South Stream, a longer version of the Russian pipeline through Turkey, was envisioned as a European network before the Kremlin pulled it off the table in late 2014.
European leaders in the past have put pressure on Russian energy company Gazprom, saying it holds a monopoly over supplies and transit arteries.
