After the sudden cancellation of the Russian sponsored ‘South Stream’ pipeline, news emerged that Gazprom is planning to construct an alternative pipeline to Turkey instead.
Dubbed ‘Turk Stream, the pipeline which would be similar in size, plans to go onshore in Turkey and subsequently transit natural gas via Turkey onwards to Southeastern Europe. Many uncertainties about the project remain however. Chief among them is the fact that beyond a memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Russia, little else in the form of a contractual arrangement seems in place. Indicative is the statement made by Turkish Energy Minister Yildiz that talks could go on as long as until 2020.
What are the prospects for Turk Stream under these circumstances? What is in it for Turkey? Polish news website Biznes Alert spoke to Sijbren de Jong on the matter. The entire interview (in Polish) can be read here.