Croatia has joined the South Stream Pipeline project, with Croatia’s Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor signing an agreement with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin allowing the pipeline to pass through Croatian territory.
Prime Minister Kosor said that the agreement On the Construction and Exploitation of a Gas Pipeline on Croatian Territory creates a legal basis for Croatia's involvement in South Stream, allowing the parties to set up a 50/50 joint venture.
“Obviously, we will have to discuss many details but Croatia considers this agreement very important because it will guarantee its gas supplies,” said Ms Kosor.
With a capacity of 63 Bcm/a of gas, the 900 km South Stream Pipeline will deliver gas from Russia and Central Asia to Europe, via the Black Sea.
The pipeline is expected to cost between $US28–36 billion and is planned to become operational in 2015.
Image caption: Croatia's Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
