REACTIONS AFTER PUTIN’S ANNOUNCEMENT ON SOUTH STREAM

The decision about South Stream project can only be made in a Russia –EU format, Bulgaria’s President Rosen Plevneliev told journalists on 2nd of December, in relation to the Russian President’s announcement that Russia will not continue with the realisation of the gas pipeline project.

President Plevneliev noted that so far there is only a political statement and as soon as Russia comes up with an official position, it will be discussed within the European Commission and only after that the position of the Bulgarian government can be expected.

The Bulgarian Minister of the Economy, Bozhidar Lukarski, announced that there was no formal notification from Russia so far about stopping the implementation of the South Stream project. According to him, the project should not be considered closed until Russia comes up with an official statement.

On 1st of December, the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, surprisingly announced that the plan for the construction of the gas pipeline will not go ahead because of the project’s suspension by EU and the ‘indecisiveness of Sofia’. Putin suggested that Bulgaria should seek compensations from the EU for the loss of potential benefits. He assured that Russia will fulfil all arrangements with the European countries on gas deliveries and will remain a reliable supplier for the partners from the EU.

At a media briefing on 2nd of December, the European Commissioner, Kristalina Georgieva, said that Bulgaria is a sovereign country, contrary to the doubts of the Russian President. She added that the European Commission will come up with an official statement and that compensations for Bulgaria are already being considered. Meanwhile the EC spokeswoman, Anna Itkonen, stated that there is no legal framework for compensations resulting from termination of the implementation of the South Stream gas pipeline project. According to her, the EC continues its diplomatic dialogue with Russia and has never been against the construction of the pipeline. It only insisted that EU rules be observed, Itkonen added.

The Director of Gazprom, Alexey Miller, confirmed on 1st of December that the project is closed. On 2nd of December, Russia’s Energy Minister, Alexander Novak, said that the decision was soley made by the Russian President.