MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Valery Golubev said that despite the influence of politicians, economic factors would ensure the project goes ahead.
"I do not see [any] significant risks," he told reporters, speaking about the prospects for the pipeline.
Golubev added that, at the same time, no one could evaluate the prospects for the Turkish Stream gas pipeline.
"I do not know, and no one knows. I hope that common sense will prevail and normal cooperation will take place, including with [our] European partners," Golubev said, speaking about the future of the Turkish Stream project amid tensions in the relations between Moscow and Ankara.
The Turkish Stream is a gas pipeline, with an annual capacity of 63 billion cubic meters. It was expected to run below the Black Sea from Russia to Turkey and continue to a hub on the Turkish-Greek border, from where gas could be transferred to Southern Europe. The project was suspended after Russia imposed restrictions on Turkey following the downing of a Russian Su-24 aircraft by a Turkish F-16 fighter in Syria, on November 24.
