Russian Energy Minister: Decision to Drop South Stream Is Final

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak has said that the decision to stop the construction of the South Stream gas pipeline is final.

"In my opinion, the decision which has been taken is final. We are now committed to building the pipeline with a different route," he stated, as cited by ITAR-TASS and the BGNES news agency.

Novak claimed that the South Stream gas pipeline would cross Turkey, adding that it had been agreed between the heads of state of Russia and Turkey.