Albania May Join South Stream

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov said that Moscow might include Albania in the South Stream gas pipeline, which will carry Russian gas to southeastern Europe.

Titov made the comments following a visit to Albania talks with Prime Minister Sali Berisha.

He said Russia would consider extending the planned pipeline to the small Balkan country, according to an Albanian government statement. Albania is not currently linked to any international gas pipelines.

Countries neighboring Albania have said they could build an offshoot from the planned South Stream gas pipeline to the Albanian port of Vlore. But analysts think Albania lacks promise as a potential transit country because of its internal political instability.

Berisha is reportedly on good terms with his Italian counterpart, Silvio Berlusconi, and welcomes Italian companies’ involvement in Albanian energy projects.   Italy's Eni Spa is a partner in the Russian led South Stream project.