Russia says Turkey backs all its energy projects

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin told a news conference after talks with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan Ankara had pledged to fully clear Russian gas pipeline project South Stream before November 2010, when building is due to begin.

"We have an agreement that before November 10, 2010 ... the Turkish government will make all the necessary judgements and issue a construction permit. In the course of today's talks Mr Erdogan confirmed these intentions," Putin said.

"I very much hope this work will be finished as planned," he said, adding that the work on South Stream was going according to plan with environmental, geological and seismic studies near completion.

Putin also said the project, which apart from Russia's gas export monopoly Gazprom (GAZP.MM) involves Italy's ENI (ENI.MI), may benefit from an inter-governmental agreement between Russia, Turkey and Italy.