Moscow, Ankara eye nuclear deal

Russia may sign an agreement to build a nuclear power plant in Turkey during President Dmitry Medvedev's official visit to Ankara starting tomorrow, Interfax reported, citing Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko. The project would be the first in which Russia builds a power station abroad and owns and guarantees the electricity supply afterwards, the Moscow-based news service reported, citing Shmatko. Most commercial terms including electricity price have been agreed on, according to Interfax. Gas exporter Gazprom wants to enter the Turkish retail gas market and is considering several projects, including buying a distribution network in Istanbul , Shmatko was also cited as saying. Gazprom's participation will depend on retail gas market liberalization in Turkey , Interfax said. Gazprom may also build an underground gas storage facility in Turkey , according to the news service. Russia and Turkey will discuss the construction of an oil refinery in Ceyhan as soon as a feasibility study for the planned Samsun-Ceyhan pipeline is complete, Interfax cited Shmatko as saying. The pipeline would offer an alternative transportation route for Russian and Kazakh oil to the Mediterranean, bypassing Turkey 's Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits, it said. Turkey 's participation in the Nabucco pipeline project won't affect Russian-Turkish energy cooperation, Shmatko was cited as saying. Medvedev will arrive for a two-day visit tomorrow at the invitation of President Abdullah Gul. Officials from the two countries are set to sign several agreements and exchange views on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues.