EC REQUESTS DETAILS ABOUT THE PLANNED CONSTRUCTION OF SOUTH STREAM

The European Commission has sent a letter of notice to the Bulgarian authorities, requesting information about the planned construction of the gas pipeline’ South Stream’, Chantal Hughes, the spokesperson of EU Internal Market and Services Commissioner  Michel Barnier said for BNT on 2nd June. This in practice is a step from the infringement procedure resulting from non-conformity with the rules of the internal market. The procedure may be stopped when the EC is satisfied that the rules are observed.

According to Bulgaria’s Ministry of the Economy and Energy (MEE), the procedure for selection of contractor for the design, supply of materials, construction, staff training and commissioning of the Bulgarian section of South Stream project was compliant with the legal procedures, which have arguments in the Bulgarian and European legal framework. The response to the EC’s letter will be given within the required deadlines, the MEE said and again assured that Bulgaria will observe the European rules for the implementation of the South Stream project in the territory of the country.