MOSCOW, June 9 (RIA Novosti) – The Bulgarian authorities are not abandoning plans on the construction of the South Stream gas pipeline and say the implementation of the project is inevitable, Reuters reported Monday quoting Bulgarian Economy and Energy Minister Dragomir Stoynev.
"If we look at the situation strategically and without emotions, the South Stream project looks irreversible and important for both Europe and Bulgaria," Stoynev stressed.
"I am convinced that all pending issues will find a solution," he added.
Earlier on Sunday, media reports emerged suggesting Bulgaria was suspending works on the South Stream project pending consultations with the European Commission.
Previously, the official representative of the European Commission (EC) announced that Bulgaria had been notified of non-compliance with the EU rules while holding a tender for the builder and the operator of the Bulgarian section of the pipeline.
Earlier in the day, Serbia announced it was also putting on hold works on the project following Bulgaria’s decision to suspend its participation.
The construction of the South Stream pipeline for Russian gas deliveries to the countries of Central and Southern Europe bypassing Ukraine started in 2012.
The European Commission insists Russia’s bilateral talks with transit countries Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovenia violate EU legislation.
Russia in turn initiated legal proceedings in the WTO against the EU’s Third Energy Package, under which owners of pipelines located in the region cannot also be gas producers.
In June, the European Commission came up with an offer to suspend the South Stream construction until it complied with the norms of the Third Energy Package.
