The European Union (EU) on Tuesday said it has taken note of the decision by the Russian energy giant Gazprom to stop the South Stream gas pipeline project.
"The EU position towards South Stream has not changed. Gas pipelines in Europe must be built and can be developed fully in line with EU law," EU spokesperson for energy, Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, told a news conference.
"Pipelines operated and developed that are in conflict with EU law endanger the functioning of the internal market and they may also fall short of any expected improvements in security of supply," she said.
"We will analyze the situation in southeast Europe with view of accelerating inter-connectors in the region to integrate better EU pipeline network," added the spokesperson. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he will no longer build the South Stream gas pipeline due to EU opposition.
Putin made the announcement at a press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Monday.
"We believe that in the current conditions Russia cannot continue with the realization of this project South Stream," he said.