It is clear to everyone that South Stream is not a project only between Russia and Bulgaria but between Russia and the EU. The decision on South Stream may be taken only within the Russia-EU format. This is what President Rosen Plevneliev told journalists regarding the shelving of the gas pipeline project announced by the Russian president.
“The countries which show an interest in the implementation of South Stream did a lot of preparatory work and authorized the European Commission to hold talks with the Russian leadership so that a decision on the project can be reached. The decision is entirely in the hands of Russia and the European Union,” the Head of State emphasized. The President added that if Russia complies with the European legislation, nobody would object to the implementation of the project. “At the same time, so far Russia has not given any indication that it wants to meet the European legislation,” the Head of State said.
South Stream is one of the projects that can happen in the European Union only and solely if they comply with the European legislation. The EU is a union based on rules and the rule of law. Unfortunately, Russia demonstrated the rule of power, not the rule of law during the crisis in Ukraine. However, when we obey the rules all projects – big and small – are implemented. I believe that nobody in the EU would say “no” to the South Stream project if Russia complies with the European legislation,” the Head of State commented.
In reply to a journalist’s question, the President said that currently the Russian side has made only a political statement and when a clear position is stated, it will be debated within the European Commission and then the Bulgarian government may be expected to voice its position. “Until then, only political assessments can be made,” Rosen Plevneliev said.
The President also recalled that the revenues for Bulgaria from the South Stream project are not guaranteed. No agreement on the revenues, only an agreement on the costs of the project has been signed, which the President said is a serious drawback. “We would not like to have the Belene case repeated. We should show that in Bulgaria we manage big infrastructure projects in a transparent and responsible manner. This suggests that an agreement with a clearly fixed profit margin should be signed. I have no idea what Bulgaria will gain from the South Stream project. If anyone knows what the gain will be, they should specify the numbers,” President Rosen Plevneliev said in conclusion.