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nformation has leaked from the Government about a telephone conversation of Putin with Greece Prime Minister and intentions of Russian President to support the funding of the Greek part of Turkish Stream gas pipeline.  This has resulted to immediate reaction from USA.
The Special Envoy of the United States Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amos Hochstein has arrived on Friday in Athens and had a meeting with Nikos Kodzias, Nikos Pappas and Panagiotis Lafazanis.
Sources from the Government stressed that Hochstein has spoken on energy issues with Pappas and noted that within the framework of the meeting they have discussed the role of Greece in the development of the energy projects in Europe and East Mediterranean, as well as the multi-dimensional foreign and energy politics of the country.
The information from USA however was quite different, as Hochstein declared he has expressed US disagreement about Greece intentions to negotiate the pipeline with Russia.
The clear message for disagreement of the American Envoy has been transmitted through a statement of the American Embassy in Greece. It notes that the US are expressing their concerns about intentions of the Greek Government for extension of the gas pipeline Turkish Stream on territory of Greece and this will not increase the energy diversification and will provoke anxiety into the European authorities regarding the competitive power. In parallel with this it also states that the gas pipeline won’t be a long term resolution for Greece energy demands.
Russia: USA cannot suggest an alternative
The reaction from Moscow was immediate. RIA Novosti News Agency has announced the statement of the Analyzer on energy matters and publisher of Energy international risk assessment bulletin Georgios Chatziioannou, who confirmed that the US cannot offer any alternative decision against building of the gas pipeline in co-operation with Russian Gazprom, except liquefied natural gas.
“The United States have an undoubted success in extraction of natural gas, but there are not so many possibilities about its export”, marked the Analyzer and added, that “the factual export of American schist gas will not exceed 68 billion cubic meters until 2025, and not till 2035 will reach 107 billion cubic meters.
According to Chatziioanou’s estimation it’s quite certain that the exporters of American schist gas will consider China a very favorable market with strong development perspectives, while at the same time the possibility for any changes on the European energy market is still very hazy.
“The following fact is precise: export of schist gas from the US will offer to the importers in Europe more opportunities to negotiate with their current suppliers thus affecting the prices. This would be really useful. But only considerable amounts of American schist gas can lead to a similar situation in Europe. And something even more important – if their price is fair”, states the Analyzer for the Russian Agency. He defines as a classical example of wrong estimation the work of the gas Terminal in Poland, fed with natural gas from Qatar.
Europe could benefit from the import of US natural gas, although it is beyond all belief it could be a panacea. Two conditions must be fulfilled: to transfer through the Atlantic Ocean considerably large amounts of gas, and the European buyers to be ready to offer same high prices as those in Asia and Pacific region” concludes Chatziioanou.
Gazprom has announced the beginning of construction of Turkish Stream gas pipeline
Meanwhile Gazprom has announced starting of construction of gas pipeline Turkish Stream.  
“As from today Gazprom commences the phase of construction of the sea part of gas pipeline Turkish Stream” , stated Executive Director of the company Alexey Miller in an interview for Television Rossia 24.
Gazprom is starting work on this gas pipeline, after their withdrawal from South Stream project last December.