MINISTER STOINEV: SANCTIONS OVER SOUTH STREAM MAY NOT NECESSARILY FOLLOW

In relation to a letter sent to Bulgaria by the European Commission over the selection of a contractor to build the onshore section of the South Stream gas pipeline in the country, the Minister of the Economy and Energy, Dragomir Stoinev, explained on 3rd June that an infringement procedure or sanctions may not necessarily follow for Bulgaria. He commented that a number of negotiations would take place after the launch of the infringement procedure initiated by EC against Bulgaria. The final decision on whether there is or there isn’t a breach in the selection of the contractor will be made in months.

The energy minister ensured that Bulgaria has a good dialogue with the EC. In relation to the EC’s letter of notice sent to the Bulgarian government, he requested information from the Bulgarian Energy Holding and the project  company.

Stoinev explained that the other partners in the South Stream project were aware of the letter. He noted that negotiations would be held and it would take months before the decision.

Experts from the EC will visit Bulgaria and on 13 June he will meet with them to discuss issues related to the construction of the so called deep-sea section (offshore section) of the South Stream project, which will run through the Black Sea to Bulgaria, he said.