Pipeline Plea

AFP reported on Monday that European energy commissioner Guenther Oettinger urged Russia to lift pressure on central Asian countries that could block the Nabucco gas pipeline project.

"Nabucco is not a direct competitor of South Stream," Oettinger told a conference in reference to the Gazprom backed project that is designed to transport Russian natural gas to western European markets.

"I appreciate Russia as a partner for Russian gas, but for gas from third countries I prefer the shortest route and not a path that makes a detour via Russia," as is the case with South Stream, Oettinger said.

The Nabucco project has not yet finalized supply contracts with producer countries it needs to ensure it is economically viable.