US Fears Russia's Turkish Stream Pipeline Will 'Free' Europe - Diplomat

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The United States fears losing control of Europe and will do anything, including attempts to stop Russia's Turkish Stream gas pipeline, to prevent European countries from becoming more self-sufficient, Zivadin Jovanovic, a Serbian diplomat and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Yugoslavia told Sputnik.

Jovanovic, who is also president of the Belgrade Forum for the World of Equals, a non-profit association, said:

"USA is afraid of losing control over Europe and Europe`s cooperation with Russia… Any project making Europe self-sufficient, secure and independent, in the long run, such as South Stream, Turkish Stream, or any other, Washington considers contrary to its geostrategic interests and is trying to stop by all means."

He noted that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was correct in his observation that the current situation in Macedonia is tied to the country's refusal to join Western sanctions against Russia and its support for constructing Russia's Turkish Stream gas pipeline.

Macedonia is currently experiencing political instability following anti-government protests staged by an opposition party in the capital city of Skopje.

"Macedonia is, by no means, big nor strong, but considers Turkish Stream and free trade with Russia to be in her best interest. Unfortunately, USA have no consideration for anybody`s interest, not to mention Macedonia's, except for their own. This is the imperial logic," Jovanovic said, adding that the time for the US as "the world policemen" is coming to an end.

The Turkish Stream is a replacement for the South Stream pipeline project, which Moscow cancelled in December 2014 after continued obstruction by the European Union. The Turkish Stream will cross Turkey to a gas hub on the Turkish-Greek border from where it is planned that the Russian gas will be directed to consumers in southern Europe.

In April Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said that the Turkish Stream may be extended to Austria through Greece, Macedonia, Serbia and Hungary.