The Russkaya compressor station site (near Anapa, Krasnodar Territory) hosted the celebrations dedicated to the construction start-up of the South Stream gas pipeline.

The celebrations were attended by Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, representatives of the participating countries, Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, Paolo Scaroni, Chief Executive Officer of Eni, Henri Proglio, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EDF, Kurt Bock, Chairman of the BASF Board of Executive Directors, Henning Voscherau, Chairman of South Stream Transport Board of Directors, Marcel Kramer, Chief Executive Officer of South Stream Transport, Dusan Bajatovic, Chief Executive Officer of Srbijagas, Marjan Eberlinc, Director General of Plinovodi, Csaba Baji, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MVM and Mihail Andonov, Executive Director of Bulgarian Energy Holding.

In the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the high-ranking guests the gas transportation systems of Russia and Europe were symbolically welded together and inaugurated the launch of the South Stream gas pipeline construction.

“The start-up of South Stream construction is indeed a historical event. The project embodies the intention of Russia and the countries of Southern and Central Europe to strengthen the partnership in the energy sector and to create a new reliable system of Russian gas supplies to European consumers.

South Stream is a comprehensive infrastructure project that gives a powerful impetus to development of the economies in the participating countries,” said Alexey Miller.