RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEI LAVROV: RUSSIA EXPECTS EC TO MAKE CONCESSIONS REGARDING SOUTH STREAM

Russia expects the European Commission to make concessions regarding ‘South Stream’ as it did with other projects before, said the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov on 7th of July. He was on a 2-day visit in Bulgaria. The ‘South Stream’ gas pipeline project was on the top of the agenda in all official meetings the Russian foreign minister had with Bulgaria’s President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.

Protests against Lavrovs visit were held in Sofia and therefore strengthened security measures were in place. In his only statement for the media on 7th of July, following the meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart, the Russian Foreign Minister said that the Russian side was ready for constructive negotiations regarding ‘South Stream’ project and called for the European Commission to resume negotiations as soon as possible.

When asked by BNT what concessions Russia was ready to make in order the project to be implemented, Lavrov did not give a specific answer, but said that the ‘South Stream’ project needed to be implemented under mutually beneficial conditions for all the parties involved in it.

Sergei Lavrov said that the agreements with Bulgaria were signed long ago, at a time before the EU’s third energy package came into force. He added that the Russian side respected the right of the European Union to create new rules, but that these rules could not be applied retrospectively.

The Russian Foreign Minister reminded that some exceptions from the rules were made for the transadriatic gas pipeline and 3-4 other gas pipelines. He clarified that there was a law in Bulgaria which treated the sea section of the ‘South Stream’ gas pipeline as extra –territorial.

He said that everything complied with the rules, as long as the situation was not politicized, and called on the European Commission to restart the talks on the project.

The ‘South Stream’ project was on the top of the agenda during all the official meetings and the Bulgarian officials reiterated the position that the implementation of the gas pipeline project was of interest to Bulgaria and important for the energy security of the whole European Union.

During the meeting with Sergei Lavrov, the Bulgarian Prime Minister Oresharski underlined that Bulgaria had submitted answers to the issues raised by the European Commission. In his opinion, Bulgaria has good enough arguments and is optimistic they will be accepted by the EC.

President Plevneliev noted that Bulgaria would continue to support projects which enhance its energy security and diversification, but it was important the ‘South Stream’ project to comply with the European legislation.

Lavrov remarked that he appreciates the constructive role of Bulgaria in the relations between Russia and the EU and pointed out that Russia was ready for other infrastructural and energy projects with the EU countries. Regarding the crisis in Ukraine, Lavrov called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and expressed concerns about the growing number of civilian deaths. According to him both sides should cease fire and new meeting for negotiations is needed.

The Bulgarian state executives said that Bulgaria supported the territorial integrity of Ukraine and would continue to support any diplomatic efforts for solution of the issue.

Strengthening trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, tourism, culture and education were also items on the agenda of the Russian Foreign Minister’s visit. Bulgaria and Russia signed an agreement in the area of healthcare and a postal stamp edition was validated.