SAMSUN (Turkey) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that the Blue Stream natural gas pipeline would strengthen Europe's energy security.
"I believe that the pipeline's launch is another step toward the formation of s European common energy space," Putin said. "This is a step toward strengthening energy security of our continent and diversifying energy supplies to the main consumers."
He also thanked 100,000 people who were involved in the $3.4-billion pipeline's construction. "It successfully united the resources and intellectual capital of Russia, Turkey, Italy and other countries," he said.
He added that many of the engineering methods used in the project were unique.
The Blue Stream will make Turkey an energy bridge between the East and West and will help boost natural gas exports to southern Europe and the Balkans, Putin said.
Speaking about Russian-Turkish cooperation, he said, "I am absolutely convinced that cooperation between our countries has most favorable prospects."
