VIENNA (AP) — Austria says it will join the Russian-backed South Stream natural gas pipeline project.
The pipeline — a joint venture of Russia’s Gazprom and Italy’s Eni companies — will exit Russia under the Black Sea and enter the European Union via Bulgaria to carry 63 billion cubic meters of gas a year when it comes online in 2015.
Economics Ministry spokeswoman Waltraud Kaserer said Tuesday the signing of an "intergovernmental agreement" will take place Saturday during a visit to Austria by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and other officials.
Serbia, Hungary, Slovenia, Greece, Italy and Croatia have also signed onto the deal.
Austria is also a supporter of the Nabucco pipeline that would provide a supply of gas not subject to Russian control.
