Russia’s Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko and Slovenian Economy Minister Matej Lahovnik signed a deal on 14 November ensuring Slovenia’s participation in the South Stream pipeline that will transport Russian gas to Europe, APA News reported. The deal was signed in front of the reporters and in the presence of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his Slovenian counterpart Borut Pahor. We have signed the deal with all the European partners needed for this project to be completed, Putin said. Russia and Slovenia consider energy cooperation with Libya similar to the one currently being pursued by Russia, Italy and Libya, said Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Russia has previously signed similar agreements with Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary and Greece. Russia’s gas export monopoly Gazprom will create a joint venture with Slovenian firm Geoplin Plinovodi. Under the deal the pipeline will run through Slovenia. It will transport gas under the Black Sea, skirting Ukraine, and is intended also to cross Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Greece, Austria and Italy. The pipeline, which is expected to become operational in 2015, will have a capacity of up to 63 billion cubic meters per year and will be built by Gazprom and Italian oil major ENI. President Gadhafi asked me to convey his greetings and best wishes to you and recommended that we sign an agreement in an appendix to the deal on the gas pipeline that would benefit both parties, Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor told Putin. Putin said in response, the leader of the Libyan Revolution is a very experienced man and a great specialist on energy. I think we can build a very good working relationship in a tripartite format. At least the Italians and we are approaching an opportunity of such cooperation right now. If Slovenia joins South Stream, it will also have the opportunity to be involved in multilateral and quite large European projects, Putin said.