“Izvestia”: “One more point in Russia’s favour”
Slovenia agrees to South Stream.
Last Saturday Lady Luck was definitely on Russia's side. At noon Prime Minister Vladimir Putin held successful negotiations at his residence with his Slovenian counterpart Borut Pahor. As a result Slovenia signed all the necessary documents for the construction of South Stream. In the evening the two prime ministers were seen together watching a football match at Luzhniki Stadium.
The upcoming fixture between the Slovenian and Russian football teams overshadowed all topics, including the construction of the South Stream gas pipeline. And anyway its fate was decided on Saturday afternoon. Next to Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Hungary, Slovenia agreed to the pipeline being laid across its territory, removing the last obstacle in the way of Russian gas flowing to Europe under the Black Sea.
"The main thing of course is football. But by the way we looked at some other issues," a contented Putin quipped after the talks with Pahor.
The Slovenian Prime Minister was also preoccupied with the upcoming match. Pahor, who also looked pleased, had been trying to "scare" Putin with the prospect of his own team winning since lunchtime. As soon as all the papers on the building and operation of South Stream were signed he declared: "It's time to come clean. Why have we in Slovenia speeded up negotiations during the past month? We wanted to sign the agreement before our relations would go sour in connection with our team's victory."
"We shall see," Putin laughed in reply.
"I am optimistic about the future, and this is good for relations with our neighbours and friends. And now I suggest, Mr Prime Minister, that you reconcile yourself to our victory," Pahor kept pressing his arrogant claim.
"Just listen to him," Putin looked bemused, and diplomatically reminded him of the proverb: "There is many a slip twixt cup and lip".
He was right. Our team won by two goals to one.
Anastasia Savinykh
