The US authorities have avowed for the first time that they do not like the project plan of a new Russian-Turkish gas pipeline "Blue Stream". Earlier, such statements could be heard from manufacturers only, currently, officials have joined a discussion. During recent talks held in Athens, Special Envoy for International Energy Affairs Amos Hokstayn announced a compelling stand of the White House on this project. According to Hokstayn, the US government strongly opposes such a joint venture and does not support the idea of the gas pipeline construction. The possibility of alternative supplies of Russian gas to Europe makes the Americans nervous. This information was confirmed by the Greek Minister of industrial reform, environmental protection and energy Panagiotis Lafazanis who attended the talks. "Of course, the US does not want the pipeline that Hokstayn explained to me honestly and directly at our recent meeting. Nevertheless, we believe that this project will be in the national interest, economically and energetically favorable," the minister noted. However, such statements do not affect the intention of Greece to start the project as soon as possible. In its turn, the US government offered its own scenario which is "to support energy diversification to Greece including support for key infrastructure project for the supply of natural gas through the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) and the increasing use of liquefied natural gas." Time will show which variant will be chosen by the Greeks.
