Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have marked the completion of a key phase of TurkStream, a natural gas pipeline connecting the two countries.
Speaking at a ceremony in Istanbul, Mr Erdogan announced the offshore part of TurkStream’s two parallel lines two kilometres deep in the Black Sea had been finished and said the final leg of the “historic project” had been reached.
The lines are expected to supply Russian gas to Turkey and European markets through Turkish territories.
Together, the two 578-mile underwater lines, along with the Russian and Turkish onshore pipes, will carry 31.5 billion cubic metres (1.1 trillion cubic feet) of natural gas annually.
“We are witnessing a very important event that is a clear demonstration of a partnership and cooperation between our countries in dealing with the most complex and ambitious projects,” Mr Putin said.
He added: “The implementation of projects like this one is a good example of an ability to stand up for one’s own national interests.”
The remarks appear to be referring to the Kremlin’s long-standing position that some European nations are giving up lucrative deals with Russia under pressure from the United States.
Turkey relies on imports for its energy needs and Russia is its top supplier for natural gas.