Changing longstanding energy maps, openning ceremony of the TurkStream pipeline project which will carry Russian natural gas to southern Europe through Turkey was held with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

 

 

Openning ceremony in Haliç Congress Center was also attended by the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić and the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Boyko Borissov.

 

 

Stressing that Russian-Turkish strategic partnership reveals concrete results for both sides, “The pipeline was a sign of interaction and cooperation for the benefit of our people and the people of all Europe, the whole world," Putin said at the inauguration ceremony.

 

 

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said “Thanks to this project, TurkStream pipeline will carry 15.75 bcm of Russian gas to our country directly without any intermediates. TurkStream will be one of the symbolic works of the new era.

 

 

Calling for transforming Mediterranean into co-operation area, not conflict, Erdoğan said “We’re ready to get closer to ones who take one step closer to us. Right holder of the name ‘TurkStream’ is my dear friend Mr. Putin.”

 

 

President Erdoğan and Russian President Putin opened valves for gas flow together with presidents of Bulgaria, Hungary and Serbia on the main stage.