Temenuzhka Petkova: South Stream is important but it should be implemented in compliance with the European legislation

Russia is an important Bulgarian partner for development of the energy sector. That was said by the Minister of Energy Temenuzhka Petkova in a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Alexander Novak. Both ministers discussed key aspects of the cooperation between the two countries in the energy field.

Minister Petkova acquainted Minister Novak with the unaltered official position of the Bulgarian side regarding the South Stream Project. It is an important project for Bulgaria both in terms of diversification of routes for natural gas supply and the expected economic recovery and jobs increase during the construction and operation of the gas pipeline. Petkova was clear that South Stream should be implemented in compliance with the European legislation.

Petkova submitted a proposal to Mr. Novak concerning the construction of a gas hub in the country in the context of the Bulgarian position related to South Stream. As is known, the idea of government is to construct such a gas distribution center near Varna, where /South Stream/ pipes were to come out of the Black Sea. This idea was also presented to the European Commission by Prime Minister Boyko Borisov during his visit to Brussels.

For his part, Minister Novak said that Russia has not received so far a formal proposal from the European Commission to discuss the gas hub in Bulgaria, but Russia is ready to consider it once it has been obtained. He stressed the need for Bulgarian side to issue in the shortest time possible all necessary permits for the construction of the marine part of the pipeline. Minister Petkova said that this process is underway and a part of the documents has been issued whilst another are under currently running administrative procedures and are to be issued in the near future.

Although the intention stated by the President Putin to stop the project, Bulgaria has not received yet official information from the Russian side for its position, said Minister Petkova. She explained that it is important for Bulgaria, especially in the context of the strategic partnership between the two countries in the energy field.

The two ministers agreed that deepening the dialogue on these issues is crucial to clarify all aspects of the project and its implementation in the interest of both Russia and the European Union. At the end of the conversation Minister Novak received an invitation from Minister Petkova to visit Bulgaria in his convenience in order to continue talks on this particular topic as well as other issues of mutual interest.