Last winter Gazprom doubled gas supplies to Turkey
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin received his Turkish counterpart Recep Erdogan at his Riviera residence in Sochi last Saturday. The Russian Prime Minister arrived at the venue of the talks driving his recently acquired Russian-made Niva.
The appearance of the Prime Minister's car has little in common with the other Nivas on the road. The Prime Minister's Niva is a camouflage-like dark-green dappled with dark-brown, has black chrome-plated wheels and a massive superstructure on the bumper. The car has a manual gearshift (real off-roaders do not have any other kind) and 270 km on the odometer. It is registered in Moscow. In bringing the car to Sochi, the Prime Minister apparently thinks off-road vehicles are best for local roads at this point (especially the Olympic facilities).
Recep Erdogan thanked Vladimir Putin for helping his country every winter when other partners were cutting gas supplies to Turkey: "Russia has never let Turkey down in terms of gas supplies. Whenever we have difficulties Russia always comes to the rescue and increases the volume of supplies as much as is necessary."
In reply Mr Putin noted that this fact alone attests to partnership between Moscow and Ankara.
"Every winter for the past six years some Turkish partners have cut gas supplies to the Turkish market due to circumstances beyond their control; it happens at the most difficult and complicated time," the Russian Prime Minister explained, "but every year, responding to the request of our Turkish friends, we increase supplies to Turkey by a fair amount." Last year supplies were increased from 29 million to 49 million cubic metres a day.
"In this way we ensure uninterrupted operation of industry and a normal state of social affairs in Turkey," Mr Putin stressed.
As a result, the parties agreed to extend the Blue Stream contract that expires in 2011. Additionally, Russian companies are willing to build thermal plants in Turkey and supply the additional gas for these plants, Mr Putin said.
Along with gas, peaceful nuclear energy was discussed, in particular, the building of a nuclear power plant in Turkey by Atomstroiexport (owned by Rosatom). The Turkish Prime Minister said: "All the tender procedures will be completed in the coming days." Under the contract, Atomstroiexport will build four nuclear units.
The Turks for their part could build Olympic facilities in Sochi. "Turkish construction companies have the third largest share of the construction market after American and Chinese companies," Mr Erdogan said. However, no Turkish company has officially announced its intention to invest in a Sochi project. At present all the main Olympic facilities are financed by the state corporation Olympstroi or by Russian companies.
By Maxim Tovkailo