Slovenian President Danilo Türk receives Gazprom CEO

Ljubljana, 16.1.2009  |  press release

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, today received Dr Alexei Miller, chief executive officer of Russia’s Gazprom. The Slovenian President and Dr Miller exchanged views on the issue of Europe’s future energy supply and discussed the planned South Stream gas pipeline project, foreseen to be routed through Slovenia. President Türk believes that this project is of strategic importance for Slovenia and that everything possible should be done in the shortest possible time to tackle the unresolved issues and take relevant decisions.

In his opinion, Slovenia cannot allow itself to unduly delay tackling and considering these issues. The decision to take the South Stream gas pipeline from the border with Hungary through Slovenia’s territory all the way to Italy would make plans for the construction of gas terminals in the Adriatic Sea near the Slovenian coast redundant. The South Stream gas pipeline will increase Slovenia’s energy, as well as general security, and enable it to strengthen its position in Europe and contribute to energy stability in the European area. In terms of time, the project of constructing the South Stream gas pipeline faces no competition from other planned pipeline projects, observed President Türk.