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By Nigar Abbasova

The implementation of the Turkish stream project came in the spotlight after mending of ties between Russia and Turkey.

The rapprochement of the two countries gave a new stimulus for the resumption of processes on the realization of the project, which envisages supplies of the Russian gas under the Black Sea (bypassing Ukraine) to Turkey and further to Europe.

The sides earlier signed an inter-governmental agreement on realizing the construction of the Turkish Stream, while the agreement served as an additional signal that the project could be brought into force.

The agreement envisages construction of two branches of the pipeline under the Black Sea, with the capacity of 15.75 bcm of gas each. The branches should be constructed until December 2019, according to the agreement.

Most experts agree on the fact that the construction of the first branch of the project seems realistic for the time being. The construction of the second branch, however, raises certain doubts.

Head of Turkish international research center Strategic Outlook Yusuf Chinar told Trend that the construction of the project in Europe’s territory mainly depends on the political choice of the EU. He mentioned that Europe needs uninterrupted supplies of energy and do not face any shortages in supplies.

“The crisis in Ukraine showed that political decision may influence energy policy of the union. Europe was for the continuation of supplies of Russian gas from Ukraine and this became a result of certain “bureaucratic barriers” for the South Stream project,” he said.

The European Commission was against the implementation of the South Stream as the project was in breach of the EU third energy package, which envisages that one and the same company is not eligible to implement delivery and operate the pipeline. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would halt the implementation of the South Stream on December 1, 2014.

The European Commission has not yet totally refused the possibility of getting supplies from the Turkish Stream. EC’s Vice President for Energy Union Morosh Shefchovych, earlier said that the issue needs to be analyzed and much will depend on the level of gas demand and commercial reasonability.

The implementation of the Turkish stream project was suspended by Russia on December 3, 2015 after the deterioration of the relations between the two countries over the SU-24 incident.

The issue on realization of the Turkish stream project came to the foreground following the talks between the presidents of Russia and Turkey held in Saint Petersburg on August 9 when the sides took a decision on the development of the plan and creation of the working group on carrying out the project.

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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

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