BULGARIA HAS NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY INFORMED OF RUSSIA’S DECISION TO DROP SOUTH STREAM PROJECT

So far, Bulgaria has not been officially informed of Russia’s decision to stop South Stream gas pipeline project, said Deputy Prime Minister, Tomislav Donchev, at a special press conference on 2nd of December.

Bulgaria’s Minister of Energy, Temenuzhka Petkova, announced that the South Stream project was vital for Bulgaria for two reasons. Firstly, the gas pipeline diversifies the routes for delivery of natural gas to the country and secondly the realisation of South Stream will secure economic growth and create new jobs, she said.

The intention of Russia’s President Putin to abandon the implementation of the South Stream project in Bulgarian territory has caused serious concern because of loss of finances, jobs and security of gas supplies, the Deputy Prime Minister commented.

Donchev emphasised that finding a solution for unblocking the project rested with the European Commission and that Bulgaria could not enter unilateral negotiations with Russia. The Energy Minister, Temenuzhka Petkova, recalled the chronology of launching the infringement procedure because of the South Stream project, which led to suspension of all activities under the project in the Bulgarian territory.