ITAR-TASS: Italy ready to mediate energy dialogue between Russia, EU — FM

Italy is ready to render support for the energy dialogue between Russia and the European Union in order to promote the implementation of the South Stream gas pipeline project, Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini said on Tuesday.

“South Stream has always been a project of strategic significance for Italy since it would help to diversify routes for the Russian natural gas supplies, eventually enhancing energy security both for Italy and the European Union,” Federica Mogherini said in an interview with ITAR-TASS.

The construction of the Russia-sponsored South Stream gas pipeline, intended to pump Russian natural gas directly to Europe bypassing transit countries like Ukraine, was recently subjected to a set of obstacles as the European Commission attempted to block the project’s implementation over Russia’s stance on Ukraine.
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