Today Zaman quoted sources close to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources indicates the permission given by the ministry to build the South Stream pipeline in order to enable the passage of Russian natural gas through Turkish territorial waters in the Black Sea is not sufficient and that the project still must complete an Environmental Impact Assessment to make sure it is built in full compliance with regulations.

The project will also need to receive additional authorization from Turkish officials during the construction process in order to be sure the pipeline is being built in accordance with international security and construction regulations.

Ministry sources said the pipeline will be licensed to operate upon the completion of the requirements. The same sources indicated the Russians have informed the ministry they are willing to complete any required procedures. The sources also said Turkey is only involved in the permissions phase of the project.

Russia expected Turkey to give its approval for construction of the pipeline by the end of October 2010, but demands from Turkey for seismic reports on the pipeline route in Turkish territorial waters delayed the project. Upon the completion of reports in April 2011, Turkey approved the project in December. South Stream will transport up to 63 billion cubic meters of gas when it opens in 2015.

(Sourced from www.todayszaman.com)